By: Matt Hamilton | Los Angeles Times
He has not been charged with a crime. But in the ongoing trial of suspended Los Angeles City Councilmember Mark Ridley-Thomas, his son is in the spotlight.
Jurors have seen photos of Sebastian Ridley-Thomas, read his words in emails and heard about his rising debt, medical problems, education and career.
In 2017, Sebastian Ridley-Thomas was 30 years old and abruptly resigned from the state Assembly before the end of his third term in office.
Publicly he blamed his deteriorating health. But in the final weeks of that year, as the #MeToo movement raged against the powerful and privileged, Sebastian Ridley-Thomas was under investigation related to two sexual harassment complaints — a fact that was left out of his resignation letter but that was apparently on his mind, and his father’s.
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1 Comment
At the core of this case is the elephant that is ignored and the destruction that that was caused by pretending what he did and causedhad no victims.
Shall we ignore the sexual harassment allegations ? True they have not been proven but the ever so timely resignation renders them a distinct question to be considered.
Okay anyone think the while on vacation timeline sounds inglewoodesc? (aka: Environmental Impact Reports and public hearings when the City Hall is otherwise closed for two weeks.) Do JTB & MRT share similar entitlement attitudes?
As for the medical issues that render the Assembly job too stressful, really? Are we to believe attempting to earn not one but two degrees while making lessons plans as a professor without the requisite credentials and at the same time beginning a new business is less stressful? ….okay perhaps it is a given he wouldn’t need to show up for class in person or on-line, do any homework research or pass any tests and maybe the Teacher assistant will do all the professor tasks but maybe choosing logos and stationary for the new company might cause some stress— Perhaps if the medical issue was 4th stage cancer or near death kidney failure this medical drama would sell better ?
As for the poor baby boy who was making $114,000.00 as Assemblymen song brings tears to some, but well I guess Mom and Dad should have taught him to save money each paycheck for a rainy day… The spend spend concept might explain the financial drama of California when the decision makers of our tax dollars don’t know how to manage their salaries!
This entire trial seems to be about a sense of entitlement to manipulate and avoid adherence to a sense of moral ethics.
Wasn’t the elders degree in “social ethics” ? Oh dear maybe he misunderstood that ethical behavior should include doing right for those you are elected to serve rather than doing only what benefits self, family or friends at the expense of others.
As for the Christian Leadership role ….Thou shalt love they neighbor as thyself, not bear false witness, not covet, – Could it be those old fashioned principles got kicked to the curb when the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and pride of life became more important to Mr and Mrs Ridley Thomas. What happened to expecting their child to earn his degrees, apply for his own jobs and to respect the rights of others?
What is that other important principle? “to whom much is given, much is required.
Power and Influence should never be abused.