Horrendously Overpaid Town Administrators Step Down but Secure Handsome Pensions

The three highest paid administrators in Bell, California, whose high six-figure salaries attracted an angry town mob outside of Los Angeles have resigned. Chief Administrative Officer Robert Rizzo, paid $787,637, Assistant City Manager Angela Spaccia, paid $376,288, and Police Chief Randy Adams, paid $457,000, are stepping down in response to a screaming town mob who individual income averages $24,000 annually. 

However, their resignations will not end the looting, as they will all receive very hefty pensions. Rizzo would be entitled to a state pension of more than $650,000 a year for life, which would make him, at 56, the highest-paid retiree in the California pension system. Adams is eligible for $411,000 a year while Spaccia, 51, could retain close to $250,000 a year when she reaches age 55.

To make matters worse, the meeting, held behind closed doors by the town council and mayor, did not address the overpayment of the five town council members paid close to $100,000 annually for part-time work. In defense of council pay, the mayor said, "We work a lot. I work with my community every day." A council member added, "[We] are on call around the clock, and it is not uncommon for [us] to take calls in the middle of the night from people reporting problems with city services."

Luckily, the county district attorney's office is investigating to determine if the high salaries for the council members violate any state laws. Also, the town has launched an investigation in conjunction with the state's public employee retirement agency into pension and related benefits for Bell's civic leaders. Let's hope they can prevent the massive pensions from being paid to these thieves who looted this town for almost two decades. Of course, knowing the California judicial system, they will keep their pensions.