Photos: Bell officials arraigned

Former Bell City Administrator Robert Rizzo stands next to his attorney, James Spertus, as eight current or former Bell city leaders plead not guilty in Los Angeles Superior Court to charges they misappropriated more than $5.5 million from the small, working-class town. Rizzo, 56, is already facing 53 felony counts of misappropriation of public funds, conflict of interest and falsification of documents.
See full story (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Oct. 21, 2010 12 AM PT

Angela Spaccia, former assistant city administrator in Bell, listens as the charges are read in court.
See full story (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Former Bell City Councilman Victor Bello, left, and George Mirabal, right, who’s still on the council, remain in custody.
See full story (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Bell Mayor Oscar Hernandez walks in front of the bar as he appears in court with the other indicted city officials.
See full story (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Former Bell City Councilman Luis Artiga is surrounded by attorneys at his court appearance.
See full story (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Bell City Councilwoman Teresa Jacobo stands next to her attorney.
See full story (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Former Bell City Councilman George Cole in court.
See full story (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

The Superior Court judge presided over the arraignment as eight current or former Bell city leaders pleaded not guilty to charges they misappropriated more than $5.5 million from the small, working-class town. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Current and former Bell city leaders in in Division 30 of Los Angeles County Superior Court. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

The former Bell city administrator is escorted from court by bodyguards after his appearance in court for arraignment on corruption charges. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)