Los Angeles politician Mark Ridley-Thomas sentenced to 3.5 years in prison for USC bribery

More than 100 people showed up to support Ridley-Thomas. The judge said his 'extraordinary' public service warranted more leniency than prosecutors sought.

Mark Ridley-Thomas leaves the courthouse on Friday, March 17, 2023, with his lawyers (l-r) Daralyn Durie, Ramsey Fisher and Galia Amram of Morrison & Foerster LLP. (Photo by Meghann M. Cuniff)

A federal judge on Monday sentenced Los Angeles political stalwart Mark Ridley-Thomas to 3 1/2 years in prison for a public corruption bribery scheme with the Univ…