Ex-Bell Official Seeks $837,000 Payout

Includes compensation for nearly a year of unused sick and vacation days.

One of the highest paid officials in Bell, fired at the peak of the corruption investigation that included a search of his house, has sued the city for $837,000, including compensation for 329 unused sick and vacation days.

Eric Eggena was fired shortly after the salaries of the top rung of municipal officials in Bell were made public. Eight former officials are now facing criminal charges. Though Eggena is not among them, his house was searched as the L.A. County district attorney's office built its public corruption case

"His name came up a lot during our investigation, and he certainly received a suspiciously high salary," Deputy Dist. Atty. Max Huntsman said.