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By Brian Hews
This is BREAKING NEWS!
Verdicts have been reached in the historic case that accuses the former mayor of Bell and five other city council members of misappropriating public funds by collecting exorbitant salaries.
The verdict was expected to be read late this morning or early this afternoon in the trial of former Mayor Oscar Hernandez and ex-council members Teresa Jacobo, George Mirabal, Victor Bello, Luis Artiga and George Cole.
The prosecution alleges that they misappropriated public funds by collecting exorbitant salaries for sitting on four city boards — the Community Housing Authority, Surplus Property Authority, Public Financing Authority and Solid Waste and Recycling Authority — that rarely met.
Los Cerritos Community Newspaper will have a complete rundown of the verdicts as soon as they are announced.
Luis Artega-Not guilty on all counts.
I’m drawing up the gallows even now, in case the verdict is the wrong one.