Former Beverly Hills Mayor Convicted Of Animal Cruelty

FONTANA (AP)  — A self-described animal activist and former Beverly Hills mayor has been convicted of misdemeanor animal cruelty in San Bernardino County.

The Press-Enterprise of Riverside says jurors found Charlotte Spadaro guilty of one misdemeanor count on Thursday.

Prosecutors alleged Spadaro kept about 180 dogs and cats in unsanitary conditions and didn't provide them with proper care from Sept. 2004 to May 2005 at a Rialto home that she used as a rescue shelter. She initially was charged with a felony count of animal cruelty, but the charge was reduced to a misdemeanor before trial and a charge of destroying evidence was dropped.

Spadaro told the Press-Enterprise she has tried to save animals and doesn't believe the case against her was proven.

Sentencing is scheduled for March 22.

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