Former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, Partner, and Duong Businessmen Indicted on Bribery and Fraud Charges, Face Up to 35 Years

Jan 17, 2025, 05:20 PM

Former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, along with her longtime partner Andre Jones and two local businessmen, Andy and David Duong, have been indicted on federal charges of bribery, conspiracy, and mail and wire fraud. The indictment alleges that Thao, who was recalled from office in November, engaged in a scheme to funnel city business to companies owned by the Duongs in exchange for financial benefits. These benefits included a $75,000 mailer campaign targeting Thao's political opponents during the 2022 election and a $95,000 payment to Jones, disguised as wages for a no-show job. The scheme reportedly began before Thao's election in November 2022, with promises to purchase housing units from a Duong-owned company and to extend a recycling contract with David Duong's company, California Waste Solutions. If convicted, each faces up to 35 years in prison, with Andy Duong facing an additional 5 years for lying to federal agents. The indictments were announced following an FBI raid on Thao's home in June 2024, which was part of a broader corruption investigation.