Mark Ridley-Thomas Sentenced to 3½ Years in Prison

Former Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors member Mark Ridley-Thomas has been sentenced to 42 months in federal prison and ordered to pay a $30,000 fine for his involvement in a bribery and fraud scheme. Ridley-Thomas demanded benefits for his son from a university dean in exchange for his political support for lucrative Los Angeles County business. United States District Judge Dale S. Fischer, who presided over the case, called Ridley-Thomas' actions a "shakedown" and noted that there is no justification for monetizing a public office. Ridley-Thomas was found guilty of conspiracy, bribery, and fraud charges after a 16-day trial. The FBI investigated the matter, and Assistant United States Attorneys prosecuted the case.

By Anita Johnson-Brown

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