The University of Southern California has found itself in the middle of controversy. A $100,000 donation by Los Angeles County’s supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas campaign fund has come into question, prompting the university to seek a criminal investigation.
The university has claimed that donation to one of its Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work was routed to a non-profit run by Mark’s son Sebastian Ridley-Thomas.
Sebastian, who lacked a graduate degree, was given a scholarship to obtain a master’s degree in social work, and then he was hired by the university as a professor of social work and public policy, Los Angeles Times reported. He was fired last month after an internal probe.
“We strongly believe USC’s decision to terminate him was erroneous and precipitous. We are now actively considering legal remedies,” Lance Olson, Sebastian’s attorney said.
The Supervisor has denied any misdemeanor and downplayed the linking of donation and employment of his son.
“We do not believe that it raises any legal or ethical issues, and it had nothing to do with his son’s scholarship or employment at the University,” Stephen Kaufman, supervisor’s attorney said in a statement.
