Critics of the deal also said it was a waste of public funds and led to over-fishing.

BBC: Morocco bans EU fishing vessels amid Western Sahara row

Last year, I saw first-hand an example of a nonsensical waste of public funds in my own suburban community of Redwood City, Calif.

FORBES: Is Your Local Government Smarter Than A Fifth Grader?

John Rice, assistant director of regeneration and estates, described the government's proposal for the site as "ill-considered" and a "dramatic waste of public funds".

BBC: The Curve

The drop-out rates have also divided lecturers and university chiefs, with the Association of University Teachers describing the highest drop-out rates as "astronomical" and a waste of public funds.

BBC: State school pupils Oxbridge majority

The CDA has most frequently been used as a defense against claims of defamation, but the broad immunity provided by the mighty CDA has also barred claims of false information, negligence, gross negligence, misrepresentation, invasion of privacy, misappropriation, fraud, breach of contract, unfair competition, emotional distress, nuisance, tortious interference with business relations, tortious interference with business expectancy, violation of civil rights, money laundering, threats, discriminatory statements, waste of public funds, nuisance, premises liability and denial of substantive due process.

FORBES: What Is The CDA And How Can It Help You And Your Company Avoid Liability?

In the verdicts returned Wednesday, the defendants were found guilty of several counts of misappropriating public funds through their roles overseeing the city's Solid Waste and Recycling Authority between the years of 2006 and 2010.

WSJ: Bell, Calif., Officials Convicted in Pay Scandal