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Bell Scandal: Angela Spaccia Sentenced, Must Pay $8 Million

Judge Kathleen Kennedy called Spaccia a "con artist" while handing down the sentencing.

The former assistant city administrator of Bell - a small, working class California municipality that gained national headlines when news broke of its leaders' hefty salaries - was sentenced to prison Thursday.

Angela Spaccia, 55, was ordered by Judge Kathleen Kennedy to spend 11 years, 8 months in state prison and pay more than $8 million in restitution. Announcing her sentencing, Kennedy called Spaccia a "con artist."

A Los Angeles jury convicted Spaccia in December on 11 counts related to misappropriation of public funds. 

During her trial, prosecutors characterized Spaccia as greedily scheming to bilk Bell residents in order to fatten her bank account. But Spaccia testified over seven days, tearfully asserting that she didn't find her salary package - which exceeded $500,000 annually - illegal.

Spaccia's boss, city administrator Robert Rizzo, plead no contest to 69 counts. Rizzo is scheduled to be sentenced next Wednesday and faces between 10 and 12 years in prison.

COMMENTS

Lol! I laugh at these idiots. I am glad they are getting prosecuted and time behind bars. They knew what they were doing, it was illegal, sooner or later the truth will be revealed, too bad it was during the time they were living the high life.

By California standards justice was served rather swiftly. She didn't think $500,000 annual salary was illegal? It is amazing how the human mind works. Perhaps 11 years, or a portion thereof, will allow her to think this thing through. Crying is often the last refuge of a criminal. It's amazing that the City of Bell is still functioning. Rob from the poor and give to the wealthy!

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