BELL GARDENS : City Council Selects 2 to Head Legal Staff
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For the third time in two years, the City Council has appointed a new city attorney.
J. Arnoldo Beltran, a 15-year real estate attorney, was named last week to replace Mike Estrada, who served as the city’s top legal adviser for just over a year. Francisco Leal, Commerce city attorney, was named assistant city attorney.
Beltran and Leal, partners in the Los Angeles law firm Beltran & Leal, will handle all of the city’s legal matters.
Beltran and Leal will be paid $7,000 a month for a maximum of 60 hours. Any additional time would cost the city $100 an hour, said Karen Nobrega, assistant city manager.
Mayor Maria S. Chacon declined to comment about the change in city attorneys. City officials did not disclose why Estrada’s contract was terminated.
“I was not provided with a reason by the council” for the termination, said Estrada, who added that under his contract the city had the option to terminate him at any time.
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