LOS ANGELES—A former Industry city manager charged along with three other people in an alleged corruption scheme pleaded not guilty today to a felony count of misappropriation of public funds. Paul Jule Philips, 70, is due back in a downtown Los Angeles courtroom Sept. 22 for the start of what could be a two-month hearing to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to allow the case against him to proceed to trial. Outside court, his attorney Steve Cooley—a former Los Angeles County district attorney—said his client “looks forward” to the hearing. Philips has “left his position” as the city manager of Bell, effective Thursday, based on “mutual agreement,” according to a statement issued by the city, which noted that the criminal case does not involve his service with the City of Bell or that city in any way. “The city has no evidence of any wrongdoing by Mr. Philips in …