Federal corruption charges filed against Oakland mayor.
In November, voters recalled Sheng Thao.
Sheng Thao, the former mayor of Oakland, California, has been indicted on corruption charges by a federal grand jury.
The Justice Department also charged Andre Jones, David Trung Duong, and Andy Hung Duong, in addition to Thao.
In October 2022, Thao allegedly agreed to extend a city recycling services contract with California Waste Solutions, purchase housing units from the Duongs, and use her influence to help them.
According to U.S. Attorney Patrick Robbins, Thao allegedly promised to purchase housing units from a company owned by the Duong family, extend a recycling services contract with one of David and Andy Duong's companies, and use her influence to help appoint a high-level city official to benefit the Duongs' business interests.
The Duongs made payments to Thao and Jones, including funding a $75,000 negative mailer campaign and $300,000 in disguised payments as wages for a no-show job, according to federal prosecutors.
According to court documents, the payments were made to give the appearance that Jones had a legitimate job with the Duongs' housing company in order to conceal the bribery.
Thao kept her promise after being elected and appointed an Oakland city official, chosen by the Duongs, to safeguard the family's business interests, according to authorities.
Thao's attorney stated on Friday that while the indictment contains numerous allegations, it lacks substantial evidence.
The charges came months after the FBI raided a home linked to Thao.
Winston Chan, Andy Duong's attorney, stated that the accusations against his client are unfounded.
Chan stated that we have remained silent amidst the media uproar of the past months, hoping that the government would recognize the truth through a thorough investigation and determine that the accusations are unfounded and fueled by nothing more than rumors and speculation, which have been woven together by the fabrications and delusions of those who lack all fundamental credibility.
"Unfortunately, Andy has become the latest in a series of Asian Americans who have been unfairly targeted and punished for their political activism," he stated. "We eagerly anticipate exonerating his name in a court trial and having a jury of his peers decide his fate."
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