Embattled Los Angeles Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas has decided to “thug it out” in his case against the United States with proceedings scheduled to commence on March 7 at 8:30 a.m.
Jury selection is scheduled to take place at the United States Courthouse, 350 W. 1st St., Los Angeles, CA 90012.
The trial will take place in Courtroom 7D (seventh floor) where United States District Judge Dale S. Fischer will preside.
Both Ridley-Thomas and his co-conspirator Marilyn Flynn were charged with one count of conspiracy, and each defendant is charged with one count of bribery. The indictment also charges both defendants with two counts of “honest services” mail fraud and 15 counts of “honest services” wire fraud.
The conspiracy count alleged in the indictment carries a statutory maximum penalty of five years in federal prison. Each bribery count carries a maximum possible sentence of 10 years. Each of the mail fraud and wire fraud charges carry a statutory maximum penalty of 20 years.
Flynn has already pleaded guilty last September and is scheduled to be sentenced on June 26.
To read the government’s trial memo and accompanying witness list click here.
Emilie St. John is a freelance journalist and contributing writer for the Los Angeles Wave newspaper.