Ridley-Thomas appeals fraud, bribery convictions

Former Los Angeles County politician Mark Ridley-Thomas filed an appeal Thursday in Pasadena of his conviction on fraud and bribery charges.

Ridley-Thomas is requesting the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals to overturn his convictions or grant a new trial.

The appeal, set to be heard by a three-judge panel, challenges the outcome of the March 30 verdict that sentenced Ridley-Thomas to three and a half years in federal prison. Jurors found him guilty on counts of conspiracy, bribery, and honest services fraud connected to his tenure on the county Board of Supervisors.

However, they acquitted him on several other fraud counts, and Judge Dale S. Fischer allowed Ridley-Thomas to be released on bail pending the appeal’s resolution. 

Defense attorney Paul Watford asserted in court papers that “Dr. Mark Ridley-Thomas is not guilty of either federal-programs bribery or honest services fraud. The government’s prosecution of Dr. Ridley-Thomas involved none of the hallmarks of traditional bribery: no private enrichment, no intent to be influenced, and no deception material to the would-be victims.”

The appeal claimed jury selection flaws and a lack of evidence for a quid pro quo arrangement between Ridley-Thomas and Marilyn Flynn, former dean of the USC School of Social Work, who admitted to a bribery charge. Ridley-Thomas allegedly favored a county contract for a Telehealth expansion with the Department of Mental Health that stood to benefit USC financially, but his defense contends there was no official act performed by him in return. 

The defense also challenges the basis of the honest services fraud convictions, arguing that the government failed to demonstrate Ridley-Thomas deceived his constituents materially.

Ridley-Thomas’ team also cautions that the precedent set by this case could criminalize routine political activities, stating, “Unless overturned, this decision would have a chilling impact on routine government operation.”

Federal prosecutors built their case around email and letter evidence, asserting Ridley-Thomas leveraged his political status for personal gain, channeling $100,000 from his campaign to Policy, Research & Practice, a nonprofit led by his son, Sebastian. 

In previous roles, Ridley-Thomas served on the Los Angeles City Council, the state Assembly, and Senate, before returning to City Council after his time with the Board of Supervisors.

His actions, according to Judge Fischer during sentencing, victimized the entire community, reflecting a lack of responsibility and remorse. The U.S. Attorney’s Office has opted not to comment on the appeal.

Meanwhile, Flynn, who pleaded guilty to bribing Ridley-Thomas, received an 18-month sentence to home confinement and a fine of $150,000.

Reporting by the Westside Current, KNX News and the LA Daily News

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