Mark Ridley-Thomas has been suspended from his Los Angeles City Council position for allegedly rigging the system so a “close relative” would not only be admitted to graduate school but would receive a full scholarship. And not only was this person given a full-tuition scholarship, they were also given a paid professorship. And not only was there a paid professorship but it was a clear violation of school policy to be a student and a professor at the same time.
As if all of that were not enough, the charges allege that the former dean of USC’s School of Social Work, Marilyn Flynn, also agreed to take a $100,000 donation in Mr. Ridley-Thomas’ campaign funds and put them in a nonprofit managed by the close relative.
And that is still not the end of the alleged schemes. The indictment charges Ridley-Thomas with agreeing to send millions of dollars in contracts to the Flynn’s School of Social Work as a quid pro quo. These included contracts with the Department of Mental Health, the Department of Children and Family Services, as well as the Probation Department.
Part of the case against the two has been built on emojis. In detailing incriminating communications between Ridley-Scott and Flynn, the indictment refers to winking emojis, thumbs up, fist bump, and shhhh emojis
The indictment did not name the “close relative,” but the prevailing theory is that this is Sebastian Ridley-Thomas, the suspended city councilman’s son.
“Sebastian Ridley-Thomas later became a professor of social work and public policy at USC — despite lacking a graduate degree. He was later terminated over questions about his original appointment and university concerns about the $100,000 that was donated from his father’s campaign funds to the School of Social Work, then directed to a nonprofit run by Sebastian Ridley-Thomas,” according to the Daily Mail, City News Service.
With all of the many layers of alleged fraud, it is no surprise that the indictment details a total of 20 charges. Individual charges carry penalties of up to 20 years in federal prison.
Both Ridley-Thomas and Flynn plead not guilty.