Rizzo, 7 other Bell officials arrested in morning raids *

District Attorney Steve Cooley is on live TV now announcing the charges and arrests. Former city manager Robert Rizzo is accused of misappropriating more than $5 million in public funds. A battering ram was used at the home of Mayor Oscar Hernandez, who also was arrested.

Cooley just said at his press conference that Bell's corruption has been a failure of the electorate to pay attention and the media that didn't cover the city. He also makes the point that high salaries in and of themselves are not a crime.

* Also: Bell's interim city manager issued a statement.

“Given the sheer volume of charges levied against former Bell Chief Administrative Officer Robert Rizzo and former Assistant CAO Angela Spaccia by the District Attorney, it is clear that Rizzo and Spaccia were at the root of the cancer that has afflicted the City of Bell.

Also, it is a sad day for Bell that four current and two former members of the Council also have been arrested.

I am prepared to double down our efforts to continue to restore order, establish good government reforms, and to ensure that Bell is providing needed services to its residents,” said Interim CAO Pedro Carrillo.