Closing arguments resumed on Thursday in the trial of former Bell Assistant Chief Administrative Officer Angela Spaccia.
Prosecutor Max Huntsman told jurors Wednesday that Spaccia was involved in crafting agreements that resulted in her receiving "insane pay" exceeding what the president of the United States earns.
Spaccia's attorney says the case is politically motivated and that his client was a victim of former Bell City Manager Robert Rizzo.
The case stems from a story that broke in the Los Angeles Times in 2010 involving unusually high salaries for the tiny southeastern Los Angeles County city of Bell.
Rizzo was accused of stealing more than $5 million from the city, allegedly writing up his own contracts that were not subject to City Council approval. Rizzo took in more than $1 million some years and gave himself hefty retirement packages, prosecutors said.
But Spaccia is the lone defendant because Rizzo pleaded no contest earlier this month to 69 counts. He will be sentenced to no more than 10 to 12 years in prison and is expected to testify at Spaccia's trial.
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