Representing the South Australian Division of the Liberal Party of Australia at the 2014 state election,[1] he became an independent in 2017, after being accused of misappropriating more than $2 million of public money.
On 15 October 2024, Bell refused to step down in accordance with section 31 of the Constitution Act 1934, and vowed to appeal the conviction.
Resulting from the Independent Commissioner Against Corruption (ICAC), it is alleged that between 2009 and 2013, Bell dishonestly dealt with more than $2 million of public money, and that he used documents known to be false, with the intention of claiming a benefit for himself.
[7][8] The complaint was referred to ICAC following the 2014 election by then Australian Labor Party sub-branch President and Deputy Mayor of the City of Mount Gambier Penny Richardson.
[9] A ReachTEL poll of 655 voters in the electorate was conducted on 13 February 2018, a month before the election, which unexpectedly found Bell who is running as an independent candidate would easily retain his seat after preferences, strongly leading the primary vote on 36 percent.