The sentencing of Los Angeles City Council member Mark Ridley-Thomas on federal corruption charges drew a wide range of reactions Thursday, with some calling the verdict unjust and others simply expressing sadness at the outcome.

Mayor Karen Bass, who attended an event on housing and homelessness, told reporters she had worked with Ridley-Thomas for more than 40 years. She described him as a champion of the city, an opinion leader and “a policymaker who really made an impact.”

“I believe this is a sad day for Los Angeles,” she said. “And I feel that sadness personally.”

Ridley-Thomas, who was convicted of conspiracy, bribery and fraud charges, had served in city, county and state governments, most recently representing a district stretching from Koreatown to the Crenshaw Corridor. Throughout the affair, he had received both political and financial support from his old allies, especially the religious leaders of South Los Angeles.

Those allies said they were devastated by Thursday’s verdict and said Ridley-Thomas should not have been found guilty.

Pastor William D. Smart, who has known Ridley-Thomas for 25 years, described the case as “another black man’s US government railroad”. Smart said the Ridley-Thomas he knows is “honourable, respectful and a doer for all people.”

“Somewhere along the line, Mark’s character and service and spirit have been lost,” said Smart, who went to the courthouse each of the past four days to show his support. “The jury, I just think they didn’t get it.”

Pastor KW Tulloss, president of the Baptist Ministers Conference of Los Angeles and Southern California, said he too was stunned. Tulloss said the community would “continue to support the councilor.”

“We are continuing to raise awareness as many in our community believe this was a political witch hunt,” he said.

Councilor Marqueece Harris-Dawson, who opposed the council’s decision to suspend Ridley-Thomas in 2021, called the verdict “difficult news to consider or accept”. lifted us up.”

Others expressed their grief, but for different reasons.

Grace Yoo, a lawyer who lost to Ridley-Thomas in the 2020 election, pointed out that he is the third councilor convicted of corruption charges in three years. Top executives from the Department of Water and Power have also pleaded guilty

Yoo, who is running for the Ridley-Thomas seat in next year’s election, said Angelenos deserve fair local government. And she wondered what City Hall could have accomplished if it hadn’t been tainted by corruption.

“I’m just sad for the state of LA,” she said. “I am also sad that it has taken so long for the general public to know what is going on in their local government.”

The case against Ridley-Thomas revolved around actions he took while serving on the County Board of Supervisors. Prosecutors alleged that Ridley-Thomas made contract decisions favorable to USC in exchange for benefits the university provided to his son, a former member of the state assembly.

Businessman Rick Caruso, who was chairman of USC’s Board of Trustees when the Ridley-Thomas investigation began, said in a statement that he is grateful to the jury for “carefully weighing the evidence and then doing the right thing.

“Today’s sentencing is an important and necessary step forward as we work to end the culture of corruption that has long plagued the Los Angeles city government,” said Caruso, who unsuccessfully ran for mayor last year.

Councilman Bob Blumenfield, representing part of the western San Fernando Valley, called the verdict “staining the legacy of a man who had been a pioneer, an icon and an effective legislator for many years.”

“I am pleased that justice is being served because bribery and pay-to-play schemes in Los Angeles are unacceptable and must be stopped,” Blumenfield said in a statement. “I am disappointed and saddened by the reality that he is the third council member to plead or be found guilty of corruption.”

Times staff writer Julia Wick contributed to this report.