Scandal-Plagued City Of Bell Loses Interim City Manager

BELL (CBS/AP) — The city of Bell is bidding its interim city manager farewell.

The city council decided not to extend the contract of Pedro Carillo. He served for a year, warning the city was facing massive budget issues. He proposed a tough new budget that would reduce spending by nearly a third and eliminate several high-level administrative and police positions.

The city's new mayor will fill the position until a replacement is found.

The Los Angeles Times reported Monday that Pedro Carrillo's contract expired Friday. Carrillo had sent Mayor Ali Saleh a letter last month saying he was not interested in the job permanently, but offered to stay on until the city found a replacement.

Carrillo took over after the ouster of former City Manager Robert Rizzo who is awaiting trial on felony fraud charges.

Rizzo is among eight former city leaders accused of looting the city and leaving the town millions of dollars in debt.