A federal jury found long-time politician 68-year-old Mark Ridley-Thomas guilty by a jury of bribery in a scheme in which his son received substantial benefits from the University of Southern California in exchange for Ridley-Thomas’ political support for lucrative county contracts and contract amendments with the university while he served on the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.  The jury found him guilty of seven of the 19 felony counts: one count of conspiracy, one count of bribery, one count of honest services mail fraud, and four counts of honest services wire fraud. The jury found Ridley-Thomas not guilty of one count of honest services mail fraud and 11 counts of honest services wire fraud.