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Former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao and Three Others Indicted on Bribery Charges, Facing Up to 95 Years

Jan 17, 2025, 04:15 PM

Former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao has been indicted by a federal grand jury on six charges, including bribery, conspiracy, mail fraud, and wire fraud, following an FBI investigation. The indictment also includes Thao's boyfriend, Andre Jones, and two members of the Duong family, David and Andy Duong, who own California Waste Solutions. The charges stem from an alleged scheme that began in October 2022, involving Thao's agreement to extend a city contract with the Duongs' company, purchase housing from them, and use her influence to secure city contracts for the company in exchange for bribes. These bribes included a $75,000 negative campaign mailer targeting Thao's opponents in the 2022 mayoral election and $95,000 in payments to Jones for a no-show job. Thao, who was recalled by voters in November, faces up to 95 years in prison if convicted on all charges. All four were arraigned on Friday. The FBI raided Thao's home in June as part of the investigation, after which Thao maintained her innocence. Thao was the first Hmong American to lead a major city.