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

Jan 17, 2025, 05:20 PM

Former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao has been indicted on federal bribery and fraud charges, alongside her romantic partner Andre Jones and two local businessmen, David and Andy Duong. The indictment, announced by federal authorities, is an 8-count document alleging a bribery scheme that began in October 2022, before Thao's election as mayor in November of that year. The scheme involved Thao allegedly agreeing to purchase housing units from a company owned by the Duongs, extend a city recycling contract, and appoint a high-level city official to benefit the Duongs' business interests. In exchange, the Duongs allegedly provided $95,000 in payments to Jones, disguised as wages for a no-show job, and funded a $75,000 negative mailer campaign targeting Thao's political opponents during the 2022 election. Thao, Jones, and the Duongs have pleaded not guilty to the charges, which include conspiracy, bribery, mail fraud, and wire fraud. If convicted, Thao faces up to 95 years in prison. The indictment comes two months after Thao was recalled by Oakland voters in November, following an FBI raid on her home in June 2024 as part of a broader corruption investigation.