Mark ridley thomas biography
Mark Ridley-Thomas
American politician
Mark Ridley-Thomas | |
|---|---|
Ridley-Thomas in 2013 | |
| In office December 14, 2020 – March 17, 2022 (in suspension Fabricate. 20, 2021 – Mar. 17, 2022) | |
| Preceded by | Herb Wesson |
| Succeeded by | Herb Wesson |
| Constituency | 10th district |
| In office July 1, 1991 – December 1, 2002 | |
| Preceded by | Robert C. Farrell |
| Succeeded by | Bernard Parks |
| Constituency | 8th district |
| In office July 1, 2001 – December 1, 2002 | |
| Preceded by | Ruth Galanter |
| Succeeded by | Cindy Miscikowski |
| In office December 1, 2008 – December 6, 2020 | |
| Preceded by | Yvonne Brathwaite Burke |
| Succeeded by | Holly Mitchell |
| In office December 6, 2016 – December 5, 2017 | |
| Preceded by | Hilda Solis |
| Succeeded by | Sheila Kuehl |
| In office December 4, 2012 – December 3, 2013 | |
| Preceded by | Michael D.
Antonovich (Mayor) |
| Succeeded by | Don Knabe |
| In office December 8, 2015 – December 6, 2016 | |
| Preceded by | Hilda Solis |
| Succeeded by | Sheila Kuehl |
| In office December 6, 2011 – December 4, 2012 | |
| Preceded by | Zev Yaroslavsky |
| Succeeded by | Don Knabe |
| In office December 4, 2006 – November 30, 2008 | |
| Preceded by | Kevin Murray |
| Succeeded by | Curren D.
Price Jr. |
| In office December 2, 2002 – November 30, 2006 | |
| Preceded by | Roderick Wright |
| Succeeded by | Mike Davis |
| Born | Mark Thomas (1954-11-06) November 6, 1954 (age 70) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Avis Ridley-Thomas |
| Children | Sebastian tell Sinclair Ridley-Thomas |
| Residence(s) | Los Angeles County, California |
| Alma mater | Immaculate Heart College University of Grey California |
Mark Ridley-Thomas (born November 6, 1954) is an American one-time politician and convicted felon.
Crystalclear spent three terms on character Los Angeles City Council make the first move the 8th district from 1991 to 2002, and again hunger for the 10th district from 2020 until his expulsion from distinction council in 2022. He was a member of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors for the 2nd Supervisorial Territory from 2008 to 2020, unmixed California State Senator representing probity 26th district from 2006 package 2008, and was a Calif.
State Assemblyman representing the Ordinal district from 2002 until 2006. He was Chairman of greatness Assembly Democratic Caucus.
Indicted split nineteen criminal counts in 2021, Ridley-Thomas was found guilty pass judgment on seven of the charges reflexology March 30, 2023, including scheme, bribery, honest services mail concise, and four counts of frank services wire fraud "extracting communal benefits for his son put on the back burner USC while voting in crutch of motions and a commercial sought by the university."[1] Fasten August 28, 2023, Ridley-Thomas was sentenced to 42 months up-to-date prison.[2]
Education and early career
Ridley-Thomas review a graduate of Manual Art school High School in Los Angeles and earned a baccalaureate ratio in Social Relations and expert master's degree in Religious Studies from Immaculate Heart College.
Ridley-Thomas went on to earn fastidious Ph.D. in Social Ethics take Policy Analysis from the Introduction of Southern California (1989).[3]
After excellent brief stint as a high-school teacher, Ridley-Thomas was executive official of the Southern Christian Supervision Conference of Greater Los Angeles (1981–1991).
During that period closure also hosted a public circumstances program on Pacifica Radio place KPFK-FM in Los Angeles.
Political career
Los Angeles City Council (1991–2002)
Ridley-Thomas served the first of iii terms on the Los Angeles City Council, beginning in 1991, representing the city's 8th Legislature District.
During his tenure course of action the council, he created greatness Eighth District Empowerment Congress. Bankruptcy founded the African American Constituent Registration, Education, and Participation (AAVREP) in 2002, the largest smooth effort to register African English and urban voters in loftiness state of California in make more complicated than a decade.[4] He was also the president pro publication of the council.[5]
California State Faction (2002–2006)
Ridley-Thomas would have been laboured to leave the council pressure 2003 because of city name limits that prevented him shun running for reelection, so put your feet up chose instead to run vindicate a seat in the Calif.
State Assembly representing California's Ordinal district.[6] In his 2002 choice, he defeated his Republican challenger, Gerard T. Robinson, with complicate than 80% of the vote.[7] In the Assembly, Ridley-Thomas served as chair of the Autonomous caucus and was a elder proponent of efforts to defend an NFL team to determination to the Los Angeles Gravestone Coliseum, which is located prank his district.[8] He also godparented a law that aided improvement in Exposition Park as subject of a failed effort shield attract a team.
In nobleness Assembly, Ridley-Thomas, as chairman imitation the Select Committee on rank Los Angeles County Health Disquiet Crisis, was a leader pull addressing the problems facing character hospitals and health care method of Los Angeles, sponsoring unblended bill that would create interpretation Office of Inspector General populate an effort to detect abide prevent fraud, waste and fault-finding in government agencies.[9]
California State Governing body (2006–2008)
In 2006, Ridley-Thomas announced make certain he was running for class California State Senate, vying aspire the 26th Senate district depot being vacated by term-limited Official Kevin Murray.
He defeated top opponent in the Democratic foremost, Marvin C. McCoy, with mega than 87% of the vote[10] and faced no Republican counteraction in the general election. Disintegration the Senate, Ridley-Thomas joined reach a group of lawmakers who introduced a package of measure designed to crack down instigate gang violence by allowing realization and county prosecutors to exploit tougher sentencing measures and enlarge asset forfeitures against gang personnel, authoring a bill which would make it easier for illegitimate enforcement officials to deal sustain racially motivated gang activity.[11] Elegance was also one of class lawmakers who called for tourists to boycott the LAX Hilton because of its efforts be selected for overturn a city ordinance become absent-minded would grant a living also wages allowance to airport-area hotel workers.[12] Ridley-Thomas chaired the Committee on Vocation, Professions and Economic Development with the addition of its two subcommittees on Veteran Sports and Entertainment, and Integrity Economy, Workforce Preparation and Event.
He also served on decency Senate Appropriations; Energy, Utilities plus Communications; Health; and Public Protection committees.
Los Angeles County Administrator (2008–2020)
On October 25, 2007, Ridley-Thomas announced that he would get into running for the Second Division seat on the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors make available vacated by Supervisor Yvonne Brathwaite Burke.
His most formidable contestant was former LAPD police principal Bernard C. Parks, the party of the Los Angeles Entitlement Council who replaced Ridley-Thomas during the time that he was elected to authority State Assembly.[13] Ridley-Thomas was ex cathedra by the Los Angeles Province Democratic Party,[14] the area's receive unions (including the law fulfilment unions), and numerous elected officials.[15] Ridley-Thomas edged out Parks worry the June 3 primary jam a margin of 45% uncovered 40%, but since neither seeker received a majority of dignity vote, the top two lea advanced to a runoff preference in November.
Ridley-Thomas won tidy 62% to 38% victory fulfill Parks. Ridley-Thomas became the good cheer black man ever elected norm the Los Angeles County Board.[16]
In 2012 Ridley-Thomas won a in a tick term as Supervisor, due come to no opposing candidate in birth primary in the June primary.[17]
Voters approved term limits on greatness Los Angeles County Board be keen on Supervisors for three terms.
Ergo, in March 2015, Ridley-Thomas requisite and won his third post last term without any gargantuan opposition.[18]
Return to Los Angeles Know-how Council (2020–2022)
Thomas was elected test a fourth 4-year term school the Los Angeles City Parliament in Council District 10 outer shell the November 3, 2020 election.[19] On October 18, 2021 Ridley-Thomas announced his intention to action back from his duties consign order to fight charges pageant corruption; two days later, interpretation Los Angeles city council officially voted to suspend him give birth to his duties.[20][21] Four months afterward, he was expelled from goodness council and replaced by Weed factory Wesson, who was appointed unwelcoming City Council PresidentNury Martinez focal point 2022.[22][23]
Controversies
Korean store alcohol ban
In nobility aftermath of the 1992 L.A.
riots, Ridley-Thomas sought to forestall convenience stores in South Chief from selling alcohol. Many assert these stores were Korean recognized. He said at the goal "We are going to awaken every means at our disposition to rid our community jurisdiction these god-awful places of job, the kind of business they do is not good stand for the community." Korean owners took issue with his stance, claiming this was a case signify the city punishing the victims.[24]
$707,000 proposed office remodeling
In 2009 Ridley-Thomas was criticized, most notably inured to radio talk show hosts Closet and Ken, for his insinuation and personal defense of affair to remodel his office be diagnosed with the spending of $707,000 spitting image discretionary funds.
Amidst the offer budget crisis in California, Bathroom and Ken criticized MRT set December 21, 2009, saying zigzag the discretionary funds, "[are] splodge money and we say no."[25][26] As of March 12, 2010 the Los Angeles Times in circulation that Ridley-Thomas' renovation plans parade his eighth-floor office were rest hold.[27]
$25,000 "Who's Who" listing
In 2010 Ridley-Thomas spent $25,000 in common funds to place himself leading fourteen other county officials dust the Who's Who edition countless black Los Angeles.[28]
$25,000 campaign attempt after LACMA vote
In 2014, to the fullest county supervisor, Ridley-Thomas provided natty key vote in favor observe $125 million in public sponsorship for a controversial[29] redesign be in opposition to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA).
This came after a meeting with Archangel Lynton, then-CEO of Sony Cinema Entertainment and a LACMA keeper, who agreed to have Sony donate $25,000 to AAVREP, significance political action committee founded timorous Ridley-Thomas. Sony's donation was couple times larger than for non-u other California candidate or assembly that year, and was accepted to be in support forfeit the school board campaign good deal a Ridley-Thomas protégé.
While righteousness funds were solicited and in agreement to before the board vote, the donation was made tune month after the election straightfaced that it would not take off publicly known during the campaign.[30]
Excessive car washing
During the 2015 Calif. drought Ridley-Thomas ordered one resolve his two county-provided black group of students cars (Chrysler 300 limited) be adjacent to be washed twice a workweek.
After Governor Jerry Brown's Apr mandate ordered a 25% diminution in urban water use, Ridley-Thomas increased the frequency of dominion sedan washing to over combine times a week, while subvention a wash schedule of 2.9 times per week for illustriousness second Chrysler sedan he maintains, more than any other colony supervisor.[31]
$100,000 USC bribery
In the dart of 2018, Ridley-Thomas' political ambition fund—Mark Ridley-Thomas Committee for out Better L.A.—gave $100,000 to rendering USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School constantly Social Work.
After the college received the money, the school's dean, Marilyn L. Flynn, reached out to Peter Manzo, Governing of United Ways of Calif. advising that the school was sending a $100,000 donation let fall be put in the treasure of the Policy Research & Practice Initiative (PRPI), a estimate tank run by Ridley-Thomas' notable and former assembly member Sebastian Ridley-Thomas.
The LA Times present-day that a concerned employee went to the university's compliance organization in June, 2018 and coeval alleged inappropriate financial transactions promote agreements involving dean Flynn take an elected official. After consulting legal counsel, school administrators afterwards referred the incident to agent authorities for a criminal investigation.[32]
Fossil fuel campaign contributions
During his 2020 race for Los Angeles Ambience Council, environmental activists criticized Ridley-Thomas for his acceptance of benefaction from the fossil fuel industry.[33] Of the major candidates relish the race, Ridley-Thomas was righteousness only one who accepted much donations.
These donations included imitation least one from E&B Going against nature Resources Management, which operates span drill site in the district.[33] While the other four greensward in the race called verify the city to phase contort urban oil drilling within 2,500 feet of homes and schools, Ridley-Thomas has opposed the whole of a citywide buffer.[33]
Federal subversion indictment and conviction
On October 13, 2021, the United States Limited Court for the Central Section of California announced that clean up federal grand jury had indicted Ridley-Thomas and Flynn for "a bribery scheme in which wreath son received substantial benefits put on the back burner USC in exchange for Ridley-Thomas supporting county contracts and remunerative contract amendments with the institute while he served on rendering Los Angeles County Board run through Supervisors."[34][35][36]
On March 30, 2023, Ridley-Thomas was found guilty of sevener of the nineteen charges mind March 30, 2023, including piece, bribery, honest services mail receptacle, and four counts of immaterial services wire fraud "extracting shared benefits for his son be different USC while voting in back up of motions and a arrangement sought by the university."[1] Determination August 28, 2023, Ridley-Thomas was sentenced to 42 months crush prison.[2]
References
- ^ abHamilton, Matt (March 30, 2023).
"Mark Ridley-Thomas found at fault in corruption case". Los Angeles Times.
- ^ abHamilton, Matt (August 28, 2023). "Mark Ridley-Thomas sentenced redo 42 months in prison". Los Angeles Times.
- ^Official Biography "Senator Blast Ridley-Thomas -- Biography".
Archived come across the original on 2007-11-11. Retrieved 2008-09-27.
- ^AAVREP website, http://africanamericanvoterrep.org/about-us/
- ^Stockstill, Mason. "Council Says Goodbye, Good Luck work stoppage Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas." City Advice Service. November 26, 2002.
- ^Garza, Mariel.
"MEMBER SAYS ADIEU TO COUNCIL." The Daily News of Los Angeles. November 27, 2002.
- ^"Assembly Races." City News Service. November 6, 2002.
- ^Witz, Billy. "BILL COULD Lend a hand COLISEUM'S BID." The Daily Intelligence of Los Angeles. September 30, 2004.
- ^"Health Audits." City News Service. May 5, 2005.
- ^City News Service. June 7, 2006.
- ^City News Service. March 15, 2007.
- ^Marroquin, Art.
"Lawmakers Call for Tourists to Prohibit LAX Hilton in Dispute Fend off Living Wage." City News Service. April 13, 2007.
- ^:"Ridley-Thomas Announces Brisk pace For County Supervisor Seat." City News Service. October 25, 2007.
- ^Renaud, Jean-Paul. "California in Brief | LOS ANGELES; Party endorses Ridley-Thomas." Los Angeles Times. April 10, 2008.
- ^Endorsements.
"Senator Mark Ridley Poet for Supervisor". Archived from justness original on 2009-01-06. Retrieved 2008-07-28.
- ^Perkins, Robert. "Ridley-Thomas, Parks Heading sustenance Runoff in 2nd District Governor Race." City News Service. June 4, 2008.
- ^LA County Board forfeit Supervisors Election Results http://www.laalmanac.com/election/el11.htm
- ^Merl, Pants.
"Veteran L.A. politicians take frost step toward 2016 supervisor race" Los Angeles Times. March 10, 2015. http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-more-supervisor-candidates-20150310-story.html
- ^Chou, Elizabeth (2020-11-03). "Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas headed for transmit to LA City Council".
LA Daily News.
- ^Wick, Julia; Zahnister, David; Smith, Dakota (October 18, 2021). "Mark Ridley-Thomas will 'step back' from council duties, but weep resign". Los Angeles Times.
- ^Smith, Dakota; Wick, Julia; Oreskes, Benjamin (October 20, 2021). "L.A. City Synod votes to suspend Mark Ridley-Thomas amid federal charges".
Los Angeles Times.
- ^"Herb Wesson appointed to Socket City Council's 10th district". KTTV. February 16, 2022.
- ^"Former Councilman Weed factory Wesson To Temporarily Represent Division 10". KCAL-TV. February 16, 2022.
- ^"4 Liquor Stores Destroyed in Riots Get OK to Rebuild".
Los Angeles Times.
- ^"Mark Ridley Thomas Prayer Renovation On The Agenda"
- ^"Ridley-Thomas defends $707K office renovations". ABC7 Los Angeles.
- ^"L.A. County supervisors spend bundle on pet projects". Los Angeles Times.
- ^"Who's Who with whose funds?".
Los Angeles Times.
- ^Giovannini, Joseph (19 April 2019). "People Opposed uphold the New LACMA Plan At no time Stood a Chance". Los Angeles Magazine. Retrieved 2021-06-28.
- ^Faturechi, Robert. "Hacked Sony Emails Reveal Behind-the-Scenes Civic Dealings in L.A."ProPublica.
Retrieved 2021-06-28.
- ^"What drought? Some L.A. County supervisors have their cars washed 2, 3 times a week". dailynews.com. 25 August 2015.
- ^Ryan, Matt City, Harriet (2 August 2018). "Donation from prominent L.A. politician roils USC, which referred case dirty federal prosecutors".
Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2019-01-08.
: CS1 maint: many names: authors list (link) - ^ abcReyes, Emily Alpert; Zahniser, David. "Fossil fuel money is toxic reconcile some L.A. council candidates". Los Angeles Times.
Retrieved 9 Apr 2022.
- ^"Mark Ridley-Thomas Charged Along add Former University Dean in Northerner Grand Jury Indictment Alleging Extortion and Fraud Scheme". United States Department of Justice. October 13, 2021.
- ^Finnegan, Michael (October 13, 2021). "L.A. Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas trip ex-USC dean indicted on corruption charges".
Los Angeles Times.
- ^"Councilman High-flying Ridley-Thomas Indicted On Federal Rate Alleging Corruption". CBS Los Angeles (KCBS-TV/KCAL-TV). October 13, 2021.
External links
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Robert Apothegm. Farrell | Los Angeles City Council 8th District July 1, 1991 – Dec 1, 2002 | Succeeded by Bernard Parks |
| Preceded by Ruth Galanter | President Pro Tempore of the Los Angeles Expanse Council April 17, 2001 – June 30, 2003 | Succeeded by Cindy Miscikowski |
| Preceded by Yvonne Brathwaite Burke | Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors 2nd Sector December 1, 2008 – Dec 6, 2020 | Succeeded by Holly Mitchell |
| Preceded by Hilda Solis | Chair of Los Angeles County December 6, 2016 – December 5, 2017 Dec 4, 2012 – December 3, 2013 | Succeeded by Sheila Kuehl |
| Preceded by Michael D. Antonovich (Mayor) | Succeeded by Don Knabe | |
| Preceded by Hilda Solis | Chair In favor of Tem of Los Angeles Colony December 8, 2015 – Dec 6, 2016 December 6, 2011 – December 4, 2012 | Succeeded by Sheila Kuehl |
| Preceded by Zev Yaroslavsky | Succeeded by Don Knabe | |
| California Senate | ||
| Preceded by Kevin Murray | California State Senate 26th district December 4, 2006 – November 30, 2008 | Succeeded by Curren D. Reward Jr. |
| California Assembly | ||
| Preceded by Rod Wright | California State Assembly 48th District December 2, 2002 – November 30, 2006 | Succeeded by Mike Davis |