Judge’s decision to bar accused Bell council members from City Hall complicates city’s problems
A Los Angeles County Superior Court judge’s decision to prohibit most of Bell’s council members from setting foot in City Hall puts the city’s financial crisis in the hands of an interim city administrator and a City Council that has yet to be elected.
In finding there was enough evidence to try six current and former council members for corruption, Judge Henry J. Hall called their actions “appalling,” ordered them to stay 100 yards from City Hall and not engage in any city business.
Municipal elections in scandal-plagued Bell will be held March 8, when most current council members are expected either to be recalled or replaced.
But any hope that freshly elected leaders will be able to quickly get down to business was complicated by Hall’s ruling Thursday. State law required the current council to ratify the results, a procedure that’s impossible under the judge’s order.
Interim City Administrator Pedro Carrillo said he and interim City Atty. Jamie Casso intend to consult with the county to find a solution and will brief the victorious council candidates quickly after the election.
“It’s going to be intense bringing the new City Council up to speed,” he said.
Carrillo assured Bell residents Thursday that municipal services will not be interrupted and that “the doors to City Hall will remain open and we will continue to conduct the city’s business as expected.”
Carrillo has said the city will face a $3.5 million to $4.5 million deficit by the end of June and must consider deep cuts to keep the city solvent. With the council dormant, he has the authority to make some cuts without approval from an elected council.
Municipal experts said they had never heard of a judge banning council members from conducting their duties. “That’s a new one on me,” said Patrick Whitnell, general counsel of the League of California Cities.
That three council members had remained in their positions after being charged with corruption struck Cal State Fullerton political scientist Raphael Sonenshein as nearly laughable.
“The fact they were involved in running the city is by itself a fairly amazing scene,” he said.”What it all comes down to is city government is on hold until a new City Council is in office.”
Los Angeles Times staff writer Ruben Vives contributed to this report.
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