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City of Bell to keep paying 'Rizzo Tax' after corrupt officials are sentenced

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FILE - This March 9, 2011 file image shows former Bell City Administrator Robert Rizzo listens in court in Los Angeles. Rizzo, who masterminded a corruption scheme that paid exorbitant salaries to city officials, pleaded no contest, Thursday, Oct. 3, 2013, to all 69 charges brought against him.
Irfan Khan/AP
FILE - This March 9, 2011 file image shows former Bell City Administrator Robert Rizzo listens in court in Los Angeles. Rizzo, who masterminded a corruption scheme that paid exorbitant salaries to city officials, pleaded no contest, Thursday, Oct. 3, 2013, to all 69 charges brought against him.

All seven former Bell officials convicted on public corruption charges have been sentenced, but their financial crimes have left the small town deep in debt.

All seven former Bell officials convicted on public corruption charges have been sentenced, but their financial crimes have left the small town deep in debt. 

The City of Bell still owes $74 million dollars in Rizzo-era debt, six times the city's annual budget, that's about $2,000 dollars for every single Bell resident. KPCC's Sharon McNary toured Bell's downtrodden business district.

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