Photo: Aurelia Ventura / Courtesy
With votes in favor and one against, the Council of Los Angeles approved reinstating the salary and benefits of Councilmember Mark Ridley-Thomas, who faces federal corruption charges, and was suspended from his seat in October 2023 by his fellow councillors. His trial is scheduled for March of .
The Councilor had sued the City of LA for canceling his salary, arguing that it was a violation of the City Charter, which prohibits elected officials from receiving an outside salary.
The councilor will receive his salary for $100,14 plus wages and benefits not paid during 14 months. But an agreement was also approved to pay his lawyers $100,800 Dollars.
As a consequence of the council members’ vote, the City of Los Angeles will pay the salaries of two council members for the same district: Ridley-Thomas and the remaining council member Heather Hutt.
“Today’s decision to restore salary and benefits to Council Member Mark Ridley-Thomas that the Comptroller unilaterally reversed in 2021 corrects an action that should never have happened in the first place,” said Councilor Curren Price.
He recalled that the Last August, he and Council President Paul Krekorian filed two motions asking the City’s attorney to determine whether the Controller had the authority to withhold Councilman Ridley-Thomas’ salary and benefits under the City Charter.
“It is clear that the Comptroller hastened to judge without merit and I am pleased with the Council’s decision to resolve this matter fairly. Councilman Ridley-Thomas has a right to due process and that must happen in court,” Price added.
Councilman Mitch O’Farrell was the only one who opposed the reinstatement of Ridley-Thomas’ salary.
Councilman Ridley-Thomas was indicted for 20 federal charges for allegedly bribing the former Chancellor of the University of Southern California (USC) School of Social Work with millions of dollars in contracts when he was a Los Angeles County supervisor.
He allegedly made a secret deal to siphon money to USC in exchange for his son, former Assemblyman Sebastian Ridley-Thomas, being admitted to graduate school on a full scholarship and a paid teaching position.
Apparently Flynn arranged a donation for $100 , for Ridley-Thomas campaign funds through u a non-profit organization operated by his son, a former Assemblyman.
This donation led to an investigation by the United States Attorney in Los Angeles, which continues standing.