Ex-LA Councilman Ridley-Thomas sentenced to 3+ years in corruption case.

Los ⁣Angeles County ​Politician Sentenced to Prison for Corruption

Prominent Los ⁢Angeles County politician ⁤Mark Ridley-Thomas has been sentenced to three years ⁤and six months in prison for his involvement in a ​corruption scandal. The‌ charges stem​ from his voting in ​favor⁣ of county contracts that‌ would benefit the University of Southern California while accepting personal benefits for ⁤his son from the university.

“The entire community has been victimized by the ‌defendant’s crimes,” ‍U.S. District Judge Dale ‌S. Fischer ‍said during the sentencing hearing inside a packed downtown Los Angeles‌ courtroom.

Judge Fischer added that Mr. Ridley-Thomas “has committed serious crimes, has not accepted responsibility, and has shown no remorse.”

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In addition ⁤to the prison time, ‍Mr.‍ Ridley-Thomas has been ordered to serve three years on supervised release and‍ pay fines‍ of ⁢$30,700. He must also ⁣apologize⁢ to his family and constituents for the⁣ position he put them in.

Prosecutors had requested a six-year prison sentence, describing the politician’s actions as a “shakedown” that undermines the integrity of the democratic system.

Defense attorneys argued for a probationary sentence or home confinement, but the judge ultimately decided on ‍prison time.

Mr. Ridley-Thomas, a former⁣ state legislator,​ city councilman, and county supervisor, was convicted on​ multiple charges, ⁣including ‌conspiracy, bribery, and ‍fraud.

His‌ co-defendant, Marilyn Flynn,‍ received 18 months of home confinement and a fine for her involvement in the bribery scheme.

The sentencing has drawn attention from‍ the community, with retired Los Angeles Police Department chief Bernard Parks urging the judge to impose the highest penalty⁣ possible. Parks⁢ emphasized that Ridley-Thomas’ crimes not only victimized his colleagues ⁤but ‌also undermined the public’s faith in the judicial process.

The prosecution ‍alleges ⁢that Ridley-Thomas used his ⁣position to solicit ⁣support from colleagues while concealing his corrupt behavior. They claim that he demanded ‍favors from Flynn in exchange ‌for county business.