Indicted LA councilman to ‘step back,’ but won’t resign

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Days after he was indicted on federal charges, Los Angeles City Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas says he will “immediately step back” from participation in council meetings and committees — but will not resign. Ridley-Thomas wrote Monday that he will fight the allegations and plans to resume participation on the council “at the earliest appropriate time.” Ridley-Thomas was charged last week in a bribery scheme along with Marilyn Louise Flynn, former dean of the University of Southern California’s School of Social Work. Ridley-Thomas and Flynn have each denied the allegations.