Rizzo’s home up for sale

The center of the city of Bell pay scandal recently put his upscale home in Huntington Beach on the market.

Former city administrator Robert Rizzo, the focus of a massive public corruption scandal that drained millions from the small blue-collar city, is asking $979,000 for the four-bed, three-and-a-half bath home.

Rizzo’s selling agent, Bill Cuppy of Pier Realty, confirmed the listing.

The two-story, 3,250-square-foot home at 1935 Lake St. is situated in one of Huntington’s most affluent residential areas. Homes in that area, which is near City Hall and not far from the Seacliff shopping and residential areas, range from the mid-$700,000s to the mid-$2 millions, Cuppy said.

“The house is a killer,” he said.

Cuppy was also Rizzo’s agent when he bought the house in 2007.

At that time, Rizzo paid $1.13 million, public records show.

The home was remodeled with top-of-the-line amenities, including custom glass, scraped and coffered ceilings, crown moldings and travertine flooring, Cuppy said.

The kitchen and bathrooms were also fully remodeled.

Most of the furniture was moved out Friday, but some items remain to be used for featuring the house for buyers. The house is expected to be ready for viewing in about 10 days, Cuppy said.

Cuppy said he’s not aware of where Rizzo plans to relocate. He said it appears that the embattled former manager is getting his finances in order before the beginning of his trial on public corruption charges.

No offers have been made so far, but Cuppy said he has received many calls from interested buyers.

“I would hope there wouldn’t be any stigma associated with the house,” he said. “The house is a great house. We’re not selling Bob. We’re selling the house.”