Judge Hears Los Angeles Politician Ridley-Thomas’s Bid for Acquittal, New Trial

LOS ANGELES—A judge heard arguments on June 26 in former City Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas’s bid to have his convictions on federal bribery and conspiracy charges vacated, but no ruling was forthcoming.
Attorneys for Ridley-Thomas argued that prosecutorial misconduct, misstatements of the law, and other issues during the longtime Los Angeles politician’s trial ultimately deprived him of his right to a fair trial.
The 68-year-old Ridley-Thomas is facing the prospect of years in prison after being convicted March 30 on single counts of conspiracy, bribery, honest services mail fraud, and four counts of honest services wire fraud, stemming from his time serving on the county Board of Supervisors. Sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 21 in downtown Los Angeles….