LOS ANGELES (AP) — A Los Angeles County prosecutor has told jurors that six former Bell city officials were corrupt and believed they were above the law.
Prosecutor Ed Miller said Thursday during his closing argument that the Los Angeles suburb was turned upside down by corrupt city officials who collected paychecks for jobs that didn't exist.
The defendants are charged with misappropriation of funds and Miller referred to their actions as "outrageous." Their attorneys are expected to present counter-arguments later in the day.
Most of the defendants testified during the monthlong trial, justifying their six-figure salaries as fair pay for long hours of work.
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