The state controller said on Tuesday that California's rules on reporting government expenditures must be overhauled following a scandal in a Los Angeles suburb.

The Los Angeles Times has reported that John Chiang said he will release new regulations within a few weeks requiring local governments to provide clear information on pay for municipal officials.

Chiang said, "The absence of transparency is a breeding ground for waste, fraud, and abuse of taxpayer dollars. A single Web site with accessible information will make sure that excessive pay is no longer able to escape public scrutiny and accountability."

It was also reported that in Bell, a city of fewer than 40,000 people, a Times investigation found a fiscal shell game. For example, Bell reported the total cost of the city council was less than $35,000 in 2007-2008, while part-time council members were actually paid a total of $100,000, including compensation for attending multiple committee meetings, sometimes held at the same time.

The total spending for the city manager was $800,000, and the same sum covered two other employees.

According to Chiang, the new regulations will require separate itemizing of payroll costs for every department. (With Inputs from Agencies)