Times Investigation: Mark Ridley-Thomas, his son and the USC School of Social Work
A federal grand jury has accused Los Angeles City Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas of conspiring with Marilyn Louise Flynn, then dean of USC’s School of Social Work, to steer county money to the university in return for admitting his son Sebastian into graduate school with a full-tuition scholarship and a paid professorship.
Here is full Times coverage of the scandal:
- 1
Karly Katona will oversee the 10th District following the City Council’s decision to strip indicted Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas of his duties.
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Former USC dean Marilyn Louise Flynn denies federal charges she bribed former L.A. County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas for county contracts with USC.
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The L.A. City Council voted to suspend Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas one week after he was indicted on federal charges.
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The five supervisors unanimously approved an independent investigation that will scrutinize past contracts and the county’s current policies.
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Council members will hold a special session Wednesday to consider the suspension. If it’s approved, Ridley-Thomas could see his salary cut off.
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In a letter to council members, Ridley-Thomas said he will fight the “outrageous allegations” and resume participation at an “appropriate” time.
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For 30 years, Mark Ridley-Thomas was an influential voice in L.A. politics. The city councilman now faces bribery and other charges. He denies any wrongdoing.
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L.A. County Supervisors Hilda Solis and Kathryn Barger want to see an independent audit of their former colleague Mark Ridley-Thomas.
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Many are rising to defend and pray for the councilman, while calls escalate for him to step down or, at the very least lose, his committee assignments.
- 10
L.A. City Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas said he wouldn’t resign and plans to fight the charges of bribery that were revealed earlier this week.
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The desperation that brought USC dean, Mark Ridley-Thomas together
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Across L.A.’s Council District 10, constituents, family, friends and collaborators expressed a mix of emotions on the news that Mark Ridley-Thomas was indicted on federal bribery charges.
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Already unsettled by the likely departure of the mayor, an upcoming election and a contentious redistricting process, the City Council must decide what to do about Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas.
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It’s hard to see how Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas could continue serving on the City Council without being a disruptive and distracting influence.
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The L.A. political world is stunned by Mark Ridley-Thomas indictment.
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When state Assemblyman Sebastian Ridley-Thomas resigned suddenly in December, it marked an abrupt halt to a promising political career.
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Former Assemblyman Sebastian Ridley-Thomas likely made an unwanted sexual advance toward a female Capitol staffer two years ago, according to an Assembly investigation released Wednesday.
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Former Assemblyman Sebastian Ridley-Thomas was the subject of two sexual harassment complaints at the time he stepped down from the Legislature last year, according to documents reviewed by The Times and sources familiar with the matter.
