Longtime Los Angeles Politician Finally Found Guilty Of Corruption

Are you surprised?

Mark Ridley-Thomas, a former Los Angeles Democrat politician, was found guilty of corruption and convicted of federal corruption charges.

Thomas was caught influencing multi-million dollar government contracts in something akin to a pay-to-play scheme, what was his payment you ask?

A spot for his son at the University of Southern California, with a scholarship, and a paid teaching position following his graduation. …

The corruption is the headline here, but the part that truly gets me is the fact that he wanted a scholarship for his son. …

This career politician, no doubt, had access to wealth far beyond that of the average person—with a net worth clocking in at roughly $2 million as of 2022, but he wanted others to pay for his son’s education. …

Think about what kind of person does this—the guy had money and a secure position in society, he didn’t need to go there.

Here’s what we currently know:

California Politician Mark Ridley-Thomas Found Guilty of Bribery in a Fraud Scheme https://t.co/gfb86Re9gK

— Barbi (@YourBarbiDahl) April 1, 2023

According to Fox News:

Former Democratic City Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas — a one-time legislator, county supervisor and a fixture in local politics for decades — was found guilty in U.S. District Court of seven felonies, including conspiracy, bribery and fraud.

The jury’s verdict marked a stunning fall for a once-commanding figure in Los Angeles County politics known for his involvement in civil rights and racial issues.

 

L.A. politician found guilty of corruption – One America News Network

Another Democrat Falls: Democrat City Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas has been found guilty by the United States District Court of seven felonies, including conspiracy, bribery, and fraud https://t.co/05VW9uqeP9

— 🇺🇸Scott Beemer🇺🇸 (@RealBeemster) April 1, 2023

https://twitter.com/JJonsoon/status/1642029979893661696

OANN provided this background information:

Prosecutors claim that Ridley-Thomas, who was a county supervisor at the time, promised to support county contracts for USC’s School of Social Work in exchange for aiding his son, Sebastian Ridley-Thomas.

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These contracts had the potential to bring the institution millions of dollars in new revenue. The school was operating with a significant financial deficit at the time.

State assemblyman Sebastian Ridley-Thomas stepped down from his position around the end of 2017 amid claims that he had made an unwanted sexual advance toward a Capitol staff member.

Prosecutors claimed that the $100,000 was given to his business, the Policy, Research & Practice Initiative.