How scandal in California opened door to region s first Arab-Muslim mayor arabnews.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from arabnews.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
The legislator gained prominence during the Bell corruption scandal, took on a family dynasty to win her assembly seat and later fought for her political life amid allegations of sexual harassment.
Ali Saleh is the mayor of the city of Bell, located in southeast Los Angeles County. Saleh co-manages his family’s clothing business, started by his parents who immigrated from Southern Lebanon to the U.S., settling in the city of Bell.
Saleh was first elected to the Bell City Council in 2011, following a recall election that ousted councilmembers involved in a corruption scandal. Saleh has championed smart growth, small business, public participation, and governmental transparency. He currently serves on the board of the
San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy. He is a past board president of the Gateway Cities Council of Governments, Regional Council boardmember for Southern California Association of Governments, boardmember for the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District, and boardmember for the Los Angeles County Sanitation District.