Bell official pocketed $1.5M in salary and unusually generous benefits, double earlier reports

Bell official’s salary and benefits topped $1.5M

BELL, Calif. — A former Bell city official’s huge $787,000 salary is only half of his unusually generous total compensation, according to local media reports.

KTTV Fox 11 News first reported on Friday night that former Bell City Manager Robert Rizzo’s benefits, which include 20 weeks paid vacation, bring his total annual compensation to more than $1.5 million.

According to public records reviewed by the Los Angeles Times, Rizzo was to receive $386,786 in paid vacation and sick benefits this year, in addition to his base salary.

The documents show that Rizzo’s investment accounts and other benefits received payments.

The Los Angeles district attorney’s office and the California attorney general are investigating the huge salaries of several Bell officials.