LOS ANGELES (KNX) — A Los Angeles County Superior Court judge issued a temporary restraining order on Wednesday blocking former L.A. City Councilmember Herb Wesson from filling the seat left vacant by Mark Ridley-Thomas, who was suspended pending an indictment in a federal corruption case.
The order by Judge Mary Strobel prevented Wesson, who was sworn in by the L.A. City Council on Tuesday, from filling Ridley-Thomas’ 10th District seat until at least mid-March.
Ridley-Thomas was suspended from the L.A. City Council in October as he faces federal corruption charges in connection with an alleged quid pro quo arrangement with a USC dean during his time on the L.A. County Board of Supervisors.
Since Ridley-Thomas' suspension, the 10th District has been represented by Karly Katona, who has no voting authority.
John Sweeney, an attorney for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference of SOuthern California, which filed the suit challenging Wesson’s appointment and Ridley-Thomas’ suspension, said that the city must demonstrate its legal reasoning for Wesson to replace Ridley-Thomas at a hearing on March 17.
The SCLC’s lawsuit, filed Friday, sought to reinstate Ridley-Thomas to the council. He served as executive director of the organization’s Greater L.A. chapter from 1981 to 1991.
The lawsuit alleged that "the decision to suspend [Ridley-Thomas] contravenes the bedrock presumption of innocence guaranteed under California law."
Wesson represented the 10th District from 2005 to 2020, and the suit noted that he was termed out after leaving the council. It alleged he cannot lawfully re-assume a council seat because he had already reached his term limit.
Wesson was supposed to hold the seat through Dec. 31, unless Ridley-Thomas was acquitted or the charges against him dropped.
Following issuance of the restraining order blocking Wesson's appointment, Ridley-Thomas’ attorney, Michael Proctor, said in a statement, "For months one of Mark Ridley-Thomas' primary concerns has been that Nury Martinez and city council have consistently taken action without listening to the voters of District 10. Today, thankfully, someone — the court system — finally listened to their concerns. The lesson to District 10 voters? If you want to be counted, you need to fight for it."
The trial for Ridley-Thomas is tentatively set to begin Aug. 9.
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