Schiff calls on feds to open local corruption investigations
At a time when the country is disheartened by some of the clownish, the corrupt, and the combative legislators we have in Congress it’s important to recognize that none of these tendencies start at the top.
Take corruption - the great bulk of hanky panky with federal, state, and other tax dollars really goes on at a local level. It’s State, City, and County pols who feed back up to the top, and it’s them making sweetheart deals, directing construction jobs, picking which jobs get classed as “shovel ready” etc. It’s locals who hire that reliable contractor — you know — that one that can be counted on to mix the concrete just right so it crumbles and needs re doing within six years. Before the corrupt made it to congress they started local — so take a look around if you are disheartened — are you putting the right people in office locally? Who’s corrupt in your state? Who’s fiddling and wasting tax revenue and Federal matching funds? What should be done?
Published reports indicate federal authorities have launched a probe into the Bell salary scandal. There City Manager Robert Rizzo was being paid an annual salary of $787,637; Police Chief Randy Adams, $457,000; and Assistant City Manager Angela Spaccia, $376,000. That made them the highest-paid city officials in the nation.
Additionally, Mayor Oscar Hernandez and three of the city’s four councipl members - Teresa Jacobo, Luis Artiga and George Mirabal - were being paid $97,000 for their part-time jobs.
All except Adams were arrested and charged by Los Angeles County District Attorney Steve Cooley with dozens of corruption charges.
Mrozek declined to comment on specific cases.
“We cannot comment on any specific matter that we may or may not be investigating,” he said.