Mark Ridley-Thomas

Parks Responds to City Clerk’s Letter Regarding Ethics Complaint

Responding to an ethics complaint alleging he improperly used the city seal and an image of his Los Angeles Police Department badge on a letter he sent to the judge overseeing Mark Ridley-Thomas’ corruption case, former City Councilman and Police Chief Bernard Parks says he merely copied an ID badge the city gave him upon his retirement.

Prosecutors Recommend Six-Year Sentence for Ridley-Thomas in Corruption Case 

Federal prosecutors are recommending a six-year prison sentence for former City Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas, who was convicted of bribery, fraud and conspiracy charges for steering county contracts toward the USC School of Social Work in exchange for the secret funneling of a $100,000 contribution to an organization run by his son, according to court papers filed on August 7. 

Ridley-Thomas’ Bid for New Trial Denied

A judge today denied former City Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas’ bid to have his convictions on federal bribery and conspiracy charges vacated after defense lawyers argued there was insufficient evidence to support the jury’s guilty verdicts.

Hearing on Mark Ridley-Thomas’ Motions Set for June 26

On Monday, June 26, Judge Dale S. Fischer will hear two motions by former Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas’ defense team to reconsider the jury’s guilty verdicts, which were rendered in March of this year.

Jury Deliberations Resume for 4th Day in Ridley-Thomas Corruption Trial 

Jurors in Mark Ridley-Thomas’ federal corruption trial reconvened for a fourth session of deliberations on Wednesday, March 29, as they decide whether the suspended L.A. City Councilman is guilty of steering lucrative county contracts to USC’s school of social work in exchange for a slate of benefits for his son. 

Cal Attorney General Wants FDA Standards for Menthol Cigarettes Finalized

Last year, a version of the ordinance that exempted menthol cigarettes was opposed by Black council members Mark Ridley-Thomas, Marqueece Harris Dawson and Curren Price. They argued that studies have found Black Americans are the racial/ethnic group most likely to use menthol cigarettes and are 25 times more likely than White Americans to do so.

AG Rob Bonta Ruling Sends Fate of District 10 Back into Court’s Hands

California Attorney General Rob Bonta has re-opened the possibility of a lawsuit filed by Mark Ridley-Thomas supporters to sue over the selection of Herb Wesson as a temporary member of the Los Angeles City Council, throwing the status of Los Angeles’ 10th Council District back into question.