Bell's Rizzo gave $400,000 in city loans to two businesses without council approval

One of the loans, $300,000 given to a local Chevrolet dealer in 2008, is the subject of a court fight because the dealer went out of business within a year of getting the loan, having repaid nothing.

Then- Bell City Manager Robert Rizzo gave city loans of nearly $400,000 to two businesses without public discussion, approval from the City Council or collateral to back the loans, according to documents reviewed by The Times.