Ridley-Thomas’ felony convictions dictate his removal from L.A. City Council
1 year, 8 months ago

Ridley-Thomas’ felony convictions dictate his removal from L.A. City Council

LA Times  

The City Charter calls for the removal of suspended L.A. City Councilmember Mark Ridley-Thomas after he was convicted of several felony counts. Veteran Los Angeles politician Mark Ridley-Thomas’ felony convictions bring new shock waves to a City Hall that had been settling into relative normalcy after months of upheaval. But after five days of deliberation, jurors found Ridley-Thomas guilty of federal corruption charges on Thursday — an outcome that dictates his removal from the council, per the City Charter. California Mark Ridley-Thomas found guilty in corruption case Veteran L.A. County politician Mark Ridley-Thomas is found guilty of federal corruption charges related to benefits his son received at USC.

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History of this topic

Former L.A. City Councilman Ridley-Thomas’ ultimate campaign: To clear his name
1 month ago

Former L.A. City Councilman Ridley-Thomas’ ultimate campaign: To clear his name

LA Times  

Mark Ridley-Thomas at an interfaith service in March 2023 before his criminal trial. Ridley-Thomas has also turned to backers for financial help, writing in an April email, “We’ve got to be ready to turn this injustice around.” He asked for donations of $250 “or whatever you feel comfortable contributing.” California Mark Ridley-Thomas asks to remain free while appealing corruption conviction …

Ridley-Thomas was facing prison in a month. Now he’ll remain free while appealing conviction
1 year, 2 months ago

Ridley-Thomas was facing prison in a month. Now he’ll remain free while appealing conviction

LA Times  

Former L.A. City Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas, who was convicted of bribery, conspiracy and fraud, will be allowed to remain free while pursuing his appeal. In a stipulation filed Thursday, prosecutors wrote that the agreement was done “to expedite the appellate process and obtain a final resolution of this case in a timely manner.” U.S. District Judge Dale S. Fischer, who …

Why do people still support Mark Ridley-Thomas?
1 year, 3 months ago

Why do people still support Mark Ridley-Thomas?

LA Times  

Mark Ridley-Thomas listens in March during a gathering at South L.A.’s Holman United Methodist Church, where clergy and others offered spiritual support on the eve of his trial. “There is simply no justification for monetizing one’s office,” Fischer declared from the bench at one point, echoing prosecutors’ claim that he was the mastermind of a “shakedown.” California Mark Ridley-Thomas sentenced …

Mark Ridley-Thomas sentenced to 42 months in prison
1 year, 3 months ago

Mark Ridley-Thomas sentenced to 42 months in prison

LA Times  

Former L.A. City Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas, center, shown in March, was sentenced Monday to 42 months in federal prison on corruption charges. Fischer and the prosecutors both said the length of Ridley-Thomas’ sentence should send an unequivocal message that public corruption has serious consequences, with the judge remarking, “The entire community has been victimized by the defendant’s crimes.” Jurors had …

Judge denies new trial for Mark Ridley-Thomas, upholds guilty verdict
1 year, 5 months ago

Judge denies new trial for Mark Ridley-Thomas, upholds guilty verdict

LA Times  

Mark Ridley-Thomas leaves court during his federal trial in Los Angeles in March. A federal judge in Los Angeles has upheld the conviction of longtime politician Mark Ridley-Thomas, declining Friday to acquit him of all public corruption charges or grant him a new trial. California Mark Ridley-Thomas found guilty in corruption case Veteran L.A. County politician Mark Ridley-Thomas is found …

Judge in Ridley-Thomas case weighs ordering new trial or tossing out jury verdict
1 year, 5 months ago

Judge in Ridley-Thomas case weighs ordering new trial or tossing out jury verdict

LA Times  

Lawyers for Mark Ridley-Thomas, shown in March, asked a judge on Monday to throw out his convictions in a corruption case. Defense attorneys argued that prosecutorial misconduct, insufficient evidence and inaccurate and “improper testimony” by the lead FBI agent on the case warranted vacating the jury’s verdict. Defense lawyer Galia Z. Amram summarized a litany of claimed legal defects in …

In a city rocked by corruption, Ridley-Thomas’ conviction brings public tributes, not scorn
1 year, 8 months ago

In a city rocked by corruption, Ridley-Thomas’ conviction brings public tributes, not scorn

LA Times  

Former Los Angeles City Councilmember Mark Ridley-Thomas attends an interfaith service last month at which clergy and community members offered him their spiritual support. But in the days since a jury found former City Councilmember Mark Ridley-Thomas guilty of bribery, conspiracy and fraud charges, some of the city’s political leaders have given a markedly different type of response, offering tributes …

Column: Why a guilty verdict for Mark Ridley-Thomas doesn’t feel like justice to Black L.A.
1 year, 8 months ago

Column: Why a guilty verdict for Mark Ridley-Thomas doesn’t feel like justice to Black L.A.

LA Times  

Prosecutors will say that justice was served. California Mark Ridley-Thomas found guilty in corruption case Veteran L.A. County politician Mark Ridley-Thomas is found guilty of federal corruption charges related to benefits his son received at USC. After five days of deliberations, a jury found Ridley-Thomas guilty in a sprawling federal case involving a quid pro quo with the then-dean of …

Mark Ridley-Thomas found guilty in corruption case
1 year, 8 months ago

Mark Ridley-Thomas found guilty in corruption case

LA Times  

Mark Ridley-Thomas, one of Los Angeles County’s most prominent politicians, was found guilty Thursday of federal corruption charges for extracting special benefits for his son from USC while voting in support of motions and a contract sought by the university. Ultimately, the foreperson said, the funneling of a $100,000 donation from Ridley-Thomas’ campaign committee through USC to a nonprofit led …

As trial determines Ridley-Thomas’ fate, his son’s life gets dissected
1 year, 9 months ago

As trial determines Ridley-Thomas’ fate, his son’s life gets dissected

LA Times  

He has not been charged with a crime. “FYI … rumors are another Los Angeles Legislator is next,” Sebastian Ridley-Thomas wrote to his father when he forwarded news of Assemblymember Matt Dababneh’s resignation amid sexual misconduct allegations. they are suggestive without being defensive,” wrote Wong regarding one draft that described Sebastian’s health issues as “persistent” rather than “significant.” The news …

How L.A. City Hall became so corrupt: A recent history of bribes, kickbacks, scandal, leaks
2 years, 2 months ago

How L.A. City Hall became so corrupt: A recent history of bribes, kickbacks, scandal, leaks

LA Times  

Less than a year after a leaked racist recording led to the downfall of several of Los Angeles’ top officials, a new bombshell is rocking the city’s political world. After the bombshell recording went public, the California attorney general said his office would open an investigation into the city’s redistricting process, which last year redrew lines for the 15-seat City …

LA Council faces uncertainty amid furor over racist remarks
2 years, 2 months ago

LA Council faces uncertainty amid furor over racist remarks

Associated Press  

LOS ANGELES — Where does the Los Angeles City Council go from here? Martinez said in the recorded conversation that white Councilmember Mike Bonin handled his young Black son as if he were an “accessory” and said of his son “Parece changuito,” or “he’s like a monkey,” the Los Angeles Times reported Sunday. She also referred to Bonin as a …

L.A. council fails to pick a replacement for Ridley-Thomas, exposing a divide at City Hall
2 years, 3 months ago

L.A. council fails to pick a replacement for Ridley-Thomas, exposing a divide at City Hall

LA Times  

Five L.A. City Council members blocked a vote on a proposal to name Heather Hutt, above, as the interim representative of the 10th District, sending it to a committee for review. Councilwoman-elect Eunisses Hernandez, who defeated Councilman Gil Cedillo in June but won’t be seated until December, also weighed in, saying the choice of an interim council member should not …

L.A. City Council splits on how to fill indicted Councilman Ridley-Thomas’ seat
2 years, 3 months ago

L.A. City Council splits on how to fill indicted Councilman Ridley-Thomas’ seat

LA Times  

Los Angeles City Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas has been suspended since October. Los Angeles City Council President Nury Martinez on Friday called for a new replacement for indicted Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas, days after a judge torpedoed the council’s previous choice. Hutt, who served as a political aide to Vice President Kamala Harris during her time in the U.S. Senate, has spent …

L.A. Councilman Herb Wesson resigns as temporary fill-in for indicted Mark Ridley-Thomas
2 years, 3 months ago

L.A. Councilman Herb Wesson resigns as temporary fill-in for indicted Mark Ridley-Thomas

LA Times  

Los Angeles Councilman Herb Wesson, pictured in 2019, issued a letter saying he is resigning from his post as a temporary councilman, effective immediately. Los Angeles City Councilman Herb Wesson resigned from his position as an interim replacement for indicted Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas on Thursday, days after a judge barred him from carrying out his duties at City Hall. Wesson …

L.A. City Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas sues City Hall, seeking to restore his pay
2 years, 4 months ago

L.A. City Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas sues City Hall, seeking to restore his pay

LA Times  

Los Angeles Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas, pictured in 2020, has sued the city to overturn its decision to cut off his pay while he fights federal corruption charges. Los Angeles City Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas filed a lawsuit Thursday seeking to have a judge strike down the city’s decision to cut off his pay while he fights federal corruption charges. In his …

Column: How the fight over a City Council seat is tearing apart Black Los Angeles
2 years, 5 months ago

Column: How the fight over a City Council seat is tearing apart Black Los Angeles

LA Times  

Mark Ridley-Thomas, who is suspended from his position on the Los Angeles City Council, speaks to the press in 2020. For months, he and others with the Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment have been trying to get help for hundreds of Black and Latino tenants living in slum-like conditions at the Chesapeake Apartments, a sprawling complex in the heart …

Group sues to reinstate Mark Ridley-Thomas, block Herb Wesson from filling his seat
2 years, 10 months ago

Group sues to reinstate Mark Ridley-Thomas, block Herb Wesson from filling his seat

LA Times  

A civil rights group asked a judge to strike down the suspension of Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas, who faces federal corruption charges. A civil rights group asked a judge on Friday to strike down the Los Angeles City Council’s suspension of Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas and halt the plan for replacing him with former Councilman Herb Wesson. The City Council is scheduled …

Lawmakers, clergy question legality of council’s suspending Mark Ridley-Thomas after indictment
2 years, 10 months ago

Lawmakers, clergy question legality of council’s suspending Mark Ridley-Thomas after indictment

LA Times  

Then-Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas after casting his vote at Hot and Cool Cafe in Leimert Park on Nov. 3. Two state legislators are questioning the legality of the Los Angeles City Council’s move to suspend Councilmember Mark Ridley-Thomas and potentially appoint a voting member to represent his district after the councilman was indicted last year on federal bribery …

Column: A fight for Ridley-Thomas is a fight for voting rights? Call it the MLK strategy
3 years, 1 month ago

Column: A fight for Ridley-Thomas is a fight for voting rights? Call it the MLK strategy

LA Times  

Longtime politician Mark Ridley-Thomas has been indicted on federal bribery and conspiracy charges and suspended from the L.A. City Council. “Give us the vote!” The people in the pews rise and repeat: “Give us the vote!” In some small way, I imagine this is how suspended L.A. City Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas sees himself, rousing his mostly Black and Latino constituents …

Ridley-Thomas’ district gets a caretaker, but no word on a voting member
3 years, 1 month ago

Ridley-Thomas’ district gets a caretaker, but no word on a voting member

LA Times  

After indicted Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas, above, was stripped of his duties, his chief of staff, Karly Katona, was named caretaker for the 10th District by Council President Nury Martinez. Two weeks after the Los Angeles City Council suspended Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas, it is unclear whether the City Council will appoint a voting member to fill the vacant district seat. Ridley-Thomas’ …

L.A. City Council votes to suspend Mark Ridley-Thomas amid federal charges
3 years, 2 months ago

L.A. City Council votes to suspend Mark Ridley-Thomas amid federal charges

LA Times  

City Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas, shown in 2020, has denied wrongdoing following his indictment on federal bribery and other charges. The council voted 11 to 3 to immediately suspend Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas, a veteran South Los Angeles politician who has been indicted on federal bribery, conspiracy and other charges. And I really don’t want to even have this come up.” Federal …

Mark Ridley-Thomas led L.A. homeless policies. Now what?
3 years, 2 months ago

Mark Ridley-Thomas led L.A. homeless policies. Now what?

LA Times  

Mark Ridley-Thomas faces a federal corruption indictment that threatens his legacy as the political leader who carried the cause of homeless people on his shoulders. “I saw him trying to moderate those enforcement forces using his experience and willingness to understand what homeless people are going through, and not just what his constituents are yelling about,” said Greg Spiegel, director …

Column: Why South L.A. is staying loyal to Ridley-Thomas, even as he faces federal charges
3 years, 2 months ago

Column: Why South L.A. is staying loyal to Ridley-Thomas, even as he faces federal charges

LA Times  

Mark Ridley-Thomas speaks to reporters on election day in November when he was elected to the City Council. But I’ve also heard people share how much respect they have for the work that Mark Ridley-Thomas has done,” said state Sen. Sydney Kamlager. “Ultimately, there’s room for forgiveness in the hearts of many in Black L.A. because he has been such …

L.A. County supervisors may order audit to examine Mark Ridley-Thomas bribery charges
3 years, 2 months ago

L.A. County supervisors may order audit to examine Mark Ridley-Thomas bribery charges

LA Times  

After Los Angeles City Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas, a former L.A. County supervisor, was indicted this week, his former colleagues on the county board are calling for an audit of contracts implicated in the indictment. Two Los Angeles County supervisors are calling for an independent investigation into federal criminal charges against their former colleague Mark Ridley-Thomas, who is accused of taking …

Ridley-Thomas indictment brings fresh uncertainty to an already unsettled City Hall
3 years, 2 months ago

Ridley-Thomas indictment brings fresh uncertainty to an already unsettled City Hall

LA Times  

Los Angeles City Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas is the second sitting city councilman to be indicted on federal corruption charges in as many years. “I don’t know how you can have a federal indictment with allegations that he abused the public trust — selling his public position for the benefit of his family — and not ask whether he should continue …

Many sites bear the name ‘Mark Ridley-Thomas.’ What happens now that he faces charges?
3 years, 2 months ago

Many sites bear the name ‘Mark Ridley-Thomas.’ What happens now that he faces charges?

LA Times  

A hiker makes his way off the Mark Ridley-Thomas Bridge, which stretches over La Cienega Boulevard and links Kenneth Hahn Park to the Stoneview Nature Center. If you’re wandering Los Angeles County, you might encounter the name “Mark Ridley-Thomas” on a pedestrian bridge spanning La Cienega Boulevard. “At no point in his career as an elected official — not as …

Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas declares victory in 10th District
4 years, 1 month ago

Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas declares victory in 10th District

LA Times  

Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas declared victory over attorney Grace Yoo in his race to represent a Koreatown-to-Crenshaw district on the Los Angeles City Council, setting the stage for a return to City Hall after an 18-year absence. In L.A.’s Silver Lake-to-Sherman Oaks district, urban planner Nithya Raman maintained a smaller but significant lead over City Councilman David Ryu, …

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