Closing arguments are expected on Thursday, March 23, for the trial of suspended Los Angeles City Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas, who faces federal corruption charges alleging he routed county contracts to USC’s social work school in exchange for benefits to his son.
According to prosecutors, Ridley-Thomas in April 2018 allegedly arranged for the former dean of the school, Marilyn Flynn, to funnel $100,000 from his campaign account through the school to a nonprofit operated by his son, Sebastian, who had recently resigned from the state Assembly amid a sexual harassment probe.
Prosecutors contend Mark Ridley-Thomas — then a member of the county Board of Supervisors — wanted to provide the money to support his son’s nonprofit, but didn’t want the funds linked to him or his campaign. So he agreed to provide the money to Flynn, who sent $100,000 in university funds to the nonprofit, known as the Policy, Research & Practice Initiative.
Flynn and Mark Ridley-Thomas concealed the arrangement from USC, knowing it would have violated university policy, prosecutors said.
Flynn pleaded guilty in September to one count of bribery, admitting that she agreed to steer money from the then-supervisor to Sebastian Ridley-Thomas’ nonprofit.
During opening statements in the trial, defense attorney Galia Amram said Mark Ridley-Thomas did nothing illegal and there was no quid pro quo arrangement.
“Funneling the money was legal under campaign finance law,” Amram told the jury, adding that none of the $100,000 “went into Sebastian’s pocket.”
She told the panel that “the way it looks … does not make it illegal.”
Mark Ridley-Thomas, 68, of South Los Angeles, faces 19 federal counts, including conspiracy, bribery, and honest services mail and wire fraud. He has vehemently denied any wrongdoing.
“This is a case about power, privilege and lies,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Rybarczyk said in his March 8 opening.
Mark Ridley-Thomas “monetized” and…
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