MRT Has Lots to Say About MTA But, What About Tyrone?

In a poor effort to divert attention from his relationship with troubled Services Employees International Union(SEIU) President Tyrone Freeman, Senator Mark Ridley-Thomas accused his opponent in the race for the Second District Seat on the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, Councilmember Bernard C. Parks, of wrongfully accepting more than $21,000 in campaign contributions from contractors who do business with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board(MTA)– a board of which Parks is a member.

But, the Senator’s plot backfired when it was revealed by Parks’ City Hall Office that the Councilmember was never close to violating the law. In a letter dated July 1, 2008 from the California Fair Political Practices Commission(FPPC) to a person connected to Ridley-Thomas’ campaign,  General Counsel Scott Hallabrin wrote, “The information you provided is insufficient to establish a violation of the Act(Political Reform Act). Campaign contributions are not an economic interest under Section 87103(c) and would not pose a conflict of interest for an elected official.”

The fact that Ridley-Thomas knew that the complaint was considered flimsy by the FPPC and still decided to echo th is accusation is puzzling to say the least.

“It appears that Senator Ridley-Thomas is adding libel along to the other offenses that he and his buddy, Tyrone Freeman are reportedly piling up,” said Bernard C. Parks, Jr. who serves as Parks’ Chief of Staff.  But, it seems that a libel charge is the last thing the Senator should be worrying about.

There are criminal investigations surrounding Ridley-Thomas confidant Freeman, whose spending practices are being probed by the United States Congress and Labor Department. Recently, the Los Angeles Times reported that the Compton City Attorney is currently investigating a property sale in that city to a housing corporation founded by Freeman.

Freeman and Ridley-Thomas have a long-term friendship and have especially been tied at the hip since the Senator launched his campaign in October of last year. It’s alleged that in the same month, Freeman started making millions of dollars of unauthorized deductions from the wages of the members of the Personal Assistance Services Council(PASC). PASC represents homecare workers, who just like the other union members who’ve reportedly fallen victim to Freeman, are among the poorest of the poor.

Just weeks ago, Ridley-Thomas attended an event that paid tribute to Freeman-- even as he faces possible time behind bars.

As Ridley-Thomas has tried to change the subject, he has not proposed any significant improvements that would enhance the quality of life for the residents of the=2 0Second District, and he was the ïnvisible man" during the state budget discussions which eventually led to his colleagues cutting $129 million in county services. Meanwhile, Councilmember Parks has been outspoken on his efforts regarding the creation of a County Surgeon General, the investigation of the ‘Grim Sleeper’ serial killer and our city and county’s graffiti abatement programs.

It also appears unlikely that the Senator will comment on the issues surrounding Freeman because he is apart of the union effort that has now dumped more than $7 million of its members’ dues into the Ridley-Thomas for Supervisor Campaign.