USA v MRT - Round 3

A David v. Goliath Story If anything, the last three weeks at trial in a match that pits a proverbial David (Mark Ridley-Thomas) versus Goliath  (the might and resources of the United States government) has demonstrated that those with gumption, will and faith can fight the giant to a draw,

The Status of the Case: Jury Watch

USA v MRT enters a new phase of the trial this week. Closing arguments concluded Friday, March 24 after a 97 minute rebuttal to the defense’s argument Thursday. The US government got the last word. The case is now in the hands of the jury.  The jury recessed for

Areva Martin In Real Time March 23, 2023

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L.A. Times: Ridley-Thomas rests defense, calling two former L.A. County supervisor colleagues

BY MATT HAMILTON | STAFF WRITER MARCH 22, 2023 6:48 PM PT Lawyers for suspended City Councilmember Mark Ridley-Thomas concluded their defense on Wednesday, and although the veteran politician did not take the witness stand, two former colleagues on the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors did. Both Janice Hahn,

L.A. Focus: Defense Undermines Credibility of Key Witness in Mark Ridley Thomas Corruption Case

March 22, 2023 | lafocus D.T. Carson In a federal courtroom in downtown Los Angeles, the prosecution rested its corruption case against Mark Ridley-Thomas last week, but the testimony of its key witness—a FBI Special Agent leading the investigation—may have put the credibility of their case in question.

🚨Show your support for MR-T tomorrow, Thursday, March 23, 2023! 🚨

Your support is needed tomorrow morning, Thursday, March 23, 2023. Both the government and defense in the USA v MRT are expected to make closing arguments tomorrow as early as 7:45AM. The defense rested its case this afternoon. Read why showing up is important in this LA Magazine news

Los Angeles Magazine: Army of Supporters at Suspended Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas’s Trial Is No Match for Jury

Cityside Column: The veteran politician faces his greatest fight in a Downtown courtroom By Jon Regardie - March 22, 2023 The most striking scene inside room 7D of the gleaming federal courthouse in downtown L.A. is not the table where the defendant and suspended City Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas sits

MRT’s LEGAL DEFENSE TEAM

A hallmark of the Honorable Mark Ridley-Thomas’ 30+ years in public service has been his ability to attract, assemble and deploy smart, competent and hardworking staff. “He has a way of getting the most out of his team,” said one former staffer. Another observed, “Once you have earned his trust

LA Times: Ridley-Thomas corruption case built on emails: 'MRT is really trying to deliver here'

Story by Matt Hamilton • March 19, 2023 5:00 AM Federal prosecutors finished presenting evidence in their corruption case Friday against suspended Los Angeles City Councilmember Mark Ridley-Thomas, clearing the way for the powerful lawmaker’s defense to share its side of the case next week. The case centers on

USA v MRT – Round 2

A David v Goliath Story The second week of the projected five-week trial, the United States of America v. Mark Ridley-Thomas (USA v MRT) ended on Friday with the Prosecution resting its case. The Federal government must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that MRT sought to monetize his County Supervisor

KBLA 1580: Areva Martin in Real Time 3/13/23 Report

Areva Martin March 13 20230:00/8:381×

USA v MRT—Round 1

A DAVID v GOLIATH MATCH If we look at the five-week trial like a boxing match with each week corresponding to a round, Round 1 ended in a draw by even the most conservative estimate. This result does not bode well for the government. (Those interested in observing the trial

KBLA 1580: Areva Martin in Real Time 3/9/23 Report

Areva Martin Day 3 20:00/8:181×

LAist: State Of Mind Is The Key Question In Mark Ridley-Thomas’ Federal Corruption Trial

By Frank Stoltze Updated Mar 8, 2023 4:31 PM | Published Mar 7, 2023 5:00 AM Federal prosecutors and defense attorneys delivered their opening statements Wednesday in the corruption trial of suspended Los Angeles City Councilmember Mark Ridley-Thomas, offering starkly different interpretations of his state of mind during his

LA Focus: Ridley-Thomas Gets Huge Dose of Support from Community as Trial Gets Underway

March 9, 2023 | LAFocus Lisa Collins In a courtroom in downtown Los Angeles, a jury has been seated and opening statements delivered in the corruption trial of Mark Ridley-Thomas, but over the weekend the suspended 10th District City Councilman got a huge dose of support from friends, associates, constituents and

USA vs. MR-T: Trial Attendance Memorandum

March 19, 2023 To: Family, Friends and Supporters of Councilmember Mark Ridley-Thomas Fr: CD10 Voices for Empowerment Re: United States of America v. Mark Ridley-Thomas Thank you for your continuing support. The Prosecution closed its case on Friday.  It failed to call any County witnesses, signaling the fundamental weakness of

KBLA TALK 1580 TO COVER TRIAL OF MARK RIDLEY-THOMAS GAVEL-TO-GAVEL WITH SPECIAL JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT

KBLA TALK 1580 TO COVER TRIAL OF MARK RIDLEY THOMAS GAVEL TO GAVEL WITH SPECIAL JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT0:00/0:561× Only L.A. Radio Station Offering Gavel-To-Gavel Coverage WHO: Areva Martin, host, “Areva Martin in Real Time,” KBLA Talk 1580 WHAT: KBLA Talk 1580’s new Afternoon Drive Time Show,

LA Times: Donors step up to help defend Ridley-Thomas

BY MATT HAMILTON, KATIE LICARI MARCH 6, 2023 UPDATED 6:10 PM PT When a federal grand jury indicted Mark Ridley-Thomas on corruption charges, the veteran Los Angeles politician protested his innocence and vowed to fight. There was one problem: How would he pay for his lawyers? Ridley-Thomas had few

L.A. Focus: Ecumenical Community to Hold Service for Mark Ridley-Thomas in Advance of March 8 Trial

February 22, 2023 | LAFocus Staff As the March 8 trial date of suspended City Councilmember Mark Ridley-Thomas rapidly approaches, the South Los Angeles Clergy for Public Accountability (SLACPA), a network of pastors and ministers in South Los Angeles churches representing over 50,000 members, is organizing “An Ecumenical and Interfaith

Update on the Interfaith Solidarity Service

BY DAVID ZAHNISER | STAFF WRITER FEB. 18, 2023 2:38 AM PT Supporting Ridley-Thomas The federal corruption case targeting Los Angeles City Councilmember Mark Ridley-Thomas is finally heading to trial next month. But before that happens, a group of religious leaders plans to stage an ecumenical and interfaith “Service in

The Unfolding of LA's Racially Motivated Power Grab

MLK WEEKEND 2023: A Careful Look at The Unfolding of LA’s Racially Motivated Political Vendetta and Civic Power Grab What better time than during weekend reflections on and celebrations of Martin Luther King, Jr. — our nation’s most profound prophet for racial harmony and unmatched foe against racism — that

Los Angeles Daily News: Mark Ridley-Thomas lawyers confirm deal with city to reimburse him $364,573

By CITY NEWS SERVICE | news@socalnews.com PUBLISHED: December 20, 2022 at 10:18 a.m. UPDATED: December 20, 2022 at 4:15 p.m. LA City Council had agreed to reinstate his salary while Ridley-Thomas awaits 2023 corruption trial Attorneys for suspended Los Angeles City Councilmember Mark Ridley-Thomas — who

WHERE WE STAND

Settlement of Mark Ridley-Thomas v. Ron Galperin Compensation Case The recent decision by the Los Angeles City Council to settle Councilmember Mark Ridley-Thomas’ lawsuit was appropriate and long overdue. Former City Controller Ron Galperin’s unilateral action to revoke his pay was a violation of Ridley-Thomas’ right to due process,

KBLA Talk 1580: Due Process, The Presumption of Innocence, and Fundamental Fairness

With a KBLA Talk 1580 Editorial, I’m Tavis Smiley. Over the course of this year, I have delivered a number of editorials about the troublesome case of LA City Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas. In each editorial, I laser-focused on three bedrock principles of our democracy: due process, the presumption of

LA Mag: In New L.A. City Council Twist, Mark Ridley-Thomas Has His Salary Reinstated

Cityside Column: The retroactive pay is a huge win for the suspended politician, though big challenges lie ahead at his corruption trial By Jon Regardie -December 7, 2022 Mark Ridley-Thomas is in the fight of his life. The political powerhouse, who has spent more than three decades in elected office,