Federal prosecutors have charged former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao with gifting authorities contracts and political affect to a outstanding Bay Space household in alternate for detrimental adverts about her opponents and a soft, made-up job for her lover.
Court docket paperwork accused Ms. Thao, 39, of bribery, conspiracy and different corruption-related crimes in her alleged dealings with the Duong household by promising to make use of her workplace to increase the household’s recycling firm contract, purchase housing models from the household’s housing firm and appoint metropolis officers chosen by the Duongs.
The submitting stated the Duongs agreed to pay $75,000 in mailers focusing on Ms. Thao’s opponents and helped Ms. Thao’s boyfriend, Andre Jones, by paying him $300,000 for a “no-show” job at their housing firm.
Prosecutors stated the alleged “corrupt relationship” with father David Duong and son Andy Duong began throughout Ms. Thao’s profitable 2022 mayoral marketing campaign and continued into final 12 months.
The daddy-son duo run California Waste Options, an area recycling firm that serves elements of the Bay Space.
“So we might go to jail … However we’re $100 million {dollars} richer,” an unnamed co-conspirator, described as a politically concerned Oakland businessman, texted Andy Duong in 2022 when it grew to become clear Ms. Thao was going to win the mayoral election, based on courtroom paperwork.
“Cash buys every little thing,” Andy Duong allegedly responded.
Ms. Thao’s residence was raided by FBI brokers in June as a part of the federal investigation into her alleged corruption.
The then-mayor stated days later “ “I need to be crystal clear. I’ve performed nothing fallacious. I can inform you with confidence that this investigation shouldn’t be about me.”
In November, Ms. Thao grew to become the first-ever Oakland mayor to be recalled, partly resulting from how she dealt with a 2023 crime wave within the metropolis. Former Alameda County District Legal professional Pamela Worth was recalled final fall over comparable causes.
Ms. Thao known as herself a “public servant at coronary heart” throughout her remaining tackle as mayor final month.
The previous mayor pleaded not responsible Friday throughout an look in federal courtroom. Ms. Thao is scheduled to return earlier than a decide Feb. 6.
If convicted of all costs, she might spend as much as 95 years behind bars.
