A federal judge in Los Angeles on Friday upheld the conviction of longtime politician Mark Ridley Thomas, refusing to acquit him or grant him a new trial on all corruption charges.
In a 17-page ruling, U.S. District Judge Dale S. Fisher found the jury’s verdict against him guilty of conspiracy, bribery, and good faith services mail and wire fraud to be inadequate, based on insufficient evidence. Ridley Thomas’ attorneys have dismissed claims that the prosecutor’s statements or other allegations of legal flaws;
Fisher noted that there was “substantial evidence” of Ridley Thomas’ “corrupt intentions,” and that “the jury found defendant acting corruptly and dishonestly in assembling the $100,000 donation.” I could easily discover what I knew.” [to USC] As a reward for cooperating with the contract requested by the university.
The ruling is a major legal setback for Ridley Thomas, 68, and opens the door for a sentencing later this summer. He faces the prospect of several years in prison, a stunning downfall for a once-powerful lawmaker.
A representative for Ridley Thomas did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the ruling. A spokesman for the Los Angeles Federal Attorney’s Office declined to comment.
In March, jurors offered a former Los Angeles City Council member a $100,000 donation from campaign funds to the University of Southern California Social Work, knowing the university would send the money to a nonprofit run by his son Sebastian. Convicted of good faith service fraud for sending money to school.
Prosecutors alleged that some of this money “pour-in” was in exchange for helping USC seek contract extensions for its remote mental health treatment program. It was part of a broader conspiracy by Ridley Thomas to extract profits from USC in exchange for help. College coveted county business.
A jury acquitted Ridley-Thomas of fraud charges related to several benefits the University of Southern California gave his son, including scholarships, master’s degree admissions and professorships.
Marilyn Flynn, a former dean of the University of Southern California’s social work program, also pleaded guilty to bribery charges and is expected to be sentenced this summer.
At a hearing this week, defense attorneys told Fisher that the case against Ridley-Thomas was a “miscarriage of justice” and urged a judge to acquit him or order a new trial.
The defense said there was insufficient evidence to prove that the senator technically voted on one of the contracts, and the minutes of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors do not fully show his vote. It argued that the evidence was scant to show that Ridley Thomas had breached his fiduciary duty.
Fisher rejected both claims, writing that he had “no question” that Ridley Thomas had voted for the contract in question. Regarding Ridley Thomas’ fiduciary duty, the judge reasoned that “accepting a bribe or kickback is a breach of the fiduciary duty of a public official under the law.”
On the conspiracy charges, the defense argued that there was no evidence of “necessary consensus” between Ridley Thomas and the dean of the University of Southern California, but the judge stood firm.
According to the judge, “the evidence shows that there was an agreement between them.” [Ridley-Thomas] Flynn then turned over the county’s business to the University of Southern California in exchange for Flynn’s help in concealing the nature and source of payments from the defendants’ campaign funds and the United Way’s funds. ”
Since Ridley Thomas’ conviction, his supporters (clergy, former staff, lobbyists, friends, public relations team) have expressed sadness and even outrage over the guilty verdict. More than 100 people flocked to Fisher’s courtroom this week to see prosecutors and defense counsel address the judge.
Ahead of the hearing, the group CD10 Voices for Empowerment called on its supporters to come to court.
“Publicly showing support for MR-T remains very important to explain the community’s skepticism about the verdict, the depth of interest in the case, and the strength of solidarity with the defendants.” the group wrote on its website.
