By City News Service
LOS ANGELES (CNS) - The former assistant to ex-Bell City Manager Robert Rizzo lost a round in court today when a judge tossed the primary allegations in her lawsuit seeking compensation for her legal bills in fighting criminal corruption allegations.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Elizabeth Allen White granted a motion by attorneys for the city to dismiss Angela Spaccia's claims for breach of contract and contractual indemnity.
The defense lawyers maintained Rizzo secretly made Spaccia the city's assistant chief administrative officer in June 2008 without City Council approval, making the contractual indemnity clause in her agreement with Rizzo unenforceable.
"It's clear to me that Mr. Rizzo acted without authority,'' White said.
Spaccia was hired by the city in 2003 and, prior to the June 2008 agreement, held the title of assistant to the chief administrative officer. She sued the city in November 2011.
Spaccia, 54, and Rizzo, 59, are awaiting trial on allegations that they wasted public funds. Her civil case attorney, Boris Koron, said her legal costs to defend herself in the criminal case are about $500,000 to date.
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