This website collects cookies to deliver better user experience. By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Cookies Policy.
Accept
San Francisco NewsSan Francisco NewsSan Francisco News
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Crime
  • Education
  • Arts
Reading: Ex-Oakland mayor, co-defendants plead not responsible to federal bribery, corruption prices – Native Information Issues
Share
Font ResizerAa
San Francisco NewsSan Francisco News
Font ResizerAa
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Crime
  • Education
  • Arts
Follow US
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Our Authors
  • Legal
© 2024 San Francisco News. All Rights Reserved.
San Francisco News > Blog > Crime > Ex-Oakland mayor, co-defendants plead not responsible to federal bribery, corruption prices – Native Information Issues
Crime

Ex-Oakland mayor, co-defendants plead not responsible to federal bribery, corruption prices – Native Information Issues

By Miles Cooper
Crime
January 20, 2025
Ex-Oakland mayor, co-defendants plead not responsible to federal bribery, corruption prices – Native Information Issues
SHARE

Former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, her romantic accomplice and a pair of influential Oakland enterprise homeowners all pleaded not responsible to a rash of federal corruption and bribery prices final week.  

Thao, her accomplice Andre Jones, David Duong and his son Andy have been all named in a federal indictment that was unsealed Friday morning.

All 4 have been subsequently arraigned in U.S. District Courtroom in Oakland, the place they entered their pleas, posted bail and have been launched.

“The indictment returned by the grand jury describes a corrupt scheme in which the defendant used bribes, mail fraud, wire fraud and other illegal practices to manipulate and corruptly influence the levers of local government,” stated Patrick Robbins, first assistant U.S. legal professional for the Northern District of California.

- Advertisement -

Ex-Oakland mayor, co-defendants plead not responsible to federal bribery, corruption prices – Native Information IssuesFILE: The FBI carried out a court docket licensed legislation enforcement exercise at Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao’s home at 80 Maiden Lane in Oakland on June 20, 2024. (Kiley Russell/Bay Metropolis Information)

The indictment comes about six months after a well-publicized FBI raid on the house Thao and Jones share within the Oakland hills and about two months after Oakland voters eliminated her from workplace in a recall election.

Properties belonging to the Duongs have been additionally searched by the FBI, the IRS and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service on the identical day because the raid on Thao’s house.

Funds and guarantees

The alleged scheme began round October 2022, simply weeks previous to the November election Thao narrowly received, and concerned $95,000 in 4 separate funds from the Duongs to Thao and Jones, in line with federal prosecutors, who say an extra $205,000 was promised.

- Advertisement -

At Thao’s course, the cash was allegedly paid to Jones for non-existent work he did for the Duongs’ recycling firm, California Waste Options.

In trade, Thao allegedly agreed that town would purchase small modular properties from a Duong-owned firm, lengthen a metropolis recycling contract for an additional of their firms and appoint a high-level metropolis official to learn the Duongs’ enterprise pursuits.

Along with the $95,000, the Duongs additionally allegedly bribed Thao by paying $75,000 for a destructive marketing campaign mailer concentrating on her political foes within the closing days of the 2022 election.

- Advertisement -

Thao’s lawyer Jeff Tsai stated Friday that the federal government’s case is filled with holes, his shopper is harmless of all prices and that the indictment got here as a whole shock given Thao’s willingness to cooperate.

“There are numerous allegations that are made, but what is missing from this indictment is anything that truly indicates that the mayor had any involvement in the scheme that the government has described,” Tsai stated.

Unsealed indictment for former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, Andre Jones, and businessmen David Trung Duong and Andy Hung Duong on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025 in San Francisco, Calif. (Alise Maripuu/Bay Metropolis Information)

“From the beginning, the mayor has indicated that she is willing to sit down and cooperate with the government’s investigation. That opportunity ultimately never arose,” he stated.

Andy Duong’s legal professionals launched an announcement following the arraignment saying their shopper can also be harmless of all prices.

“We have kept quiet despite the media frenzy of the past months in the hope that the government would correctly come to see through objective investigation that the allegations are baseless, and being fanned by nothing more than gossip and supposition stitched together by the fabrications and delusions of those who lack all fundamental credibility,” in line with the assertion despatched on behalf of attorneys Winston Chan, Doug Sprague and Erik Babcock.

David Duong’s legal professionals launched an announcement saying he’s harmless and is wanting ahead to proving so in a courtroom.

“Mr. Duong denies wrongdoing and will vigorously defend these allegations in court. He looks forward to prevailing in this case and continuing his decades of service, philanthropy, and devotion to our community and the Bay Area,” in line with the assertion despatched on behalf of attorneys Ed Swanson and August Gugelmann.

Jones declined to remark Friday however stated he would make an announcement in some unspecified time in the future sooner or later. 

Fees and attainable penalties

All 4 defendants are dealing with a wide range of prices together with conspiracy, wire fraud, mail fraud and bribery. As well as, Andy Duong is dealing with one rely of creating false statements to a authorities agent.

Thao and Jones are free on separate $50,000 bond agreements, whereas the Duongs are each free on a $100,000 bond every. 

If convicted on all counts, they might every face roughly 90 years in jail and fines of greater than $1 million.

TAGGED:briberychargescodefendantscorruptionExOaklandfederalguiltyLocalMattersmayorNewsplead
Previous Article Price ticket swapper arrested on grand theft prices: SCCSO Price ticket swapper arrested on grand theft prices: SCCSO
Next Article Wind advisory prolonged till Tuesday: NWS Wind advisory prolonged till Tuesday: NWS
Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


- Advertisement -
Unveiling the Twisting Skyscraper: A Bold Vision Meets Unexpected Challenges
Unveiling the Twisting Skyscraper: A Bold Vision Meets Unexpected Challenges
News
July 1, 2025
Unveiling San Jose’s Hottest New Boba Spot: Sip on Trendy Labubu Doll Drinks!
Unveiling San Jose’s Hottest New Boba Spot: Sip on Trendy Labubu Doll Drinks!
News
July 1, 2025
Get Ready for an Unforgettable July 2025: Meet Your Next Favorite Authors!
Get Ready for an Unforgettable July 2025: Meet Your Next Favorite Authors!
Arts
July 1, 2025
Drag Performer Faces ICE Detention After Asylum Hearing: A Courageous Battle for Freedom
Drag Performer Faces ICE Detention After Asylum Hearing: A Courageous Battle for Freedom
News
July 1, 2025
Here’s what happened when AI was put in charge of running a small shop
Here’s what happened when AI was put in charge of running a small shop
News
July 1, 2025

Categories

Archives

July 2025
MTWTFSS
 123456
78910111213
14151617181920
21222324252627
28293031 
« Jun    

You Might Also Like

‘We have to move faster’: Development starts on San Jose’s first sanctioned encampment

‘We have to move faster’: Development starts on San Jose’s first sanctioned encampment

April 25, 2025
Automated license plate reader technology pays off for Fairfield PD with stolen car bust

Automated license plate reader technology pays off for Fairfield PD with stolen car bust

June 5, 2025
Main earthquake rocks Northern California; tsunami warning issued for coastal Bay Space – Native Information Issues

Main earthquake rocks Northern California; tsunami warning issued for coastal Bay Space – Native Information Issues

December 5, 2024
Judge’s ruling gives Musk green light to press forward with his fraud claims against OpenAI

Judge’s ruling gives Musk green light to press forward with his fraud claims against OpenAI

May 7, 2025
about us

At San Francisco News, we are committed to keeping you informed about the issues that matter most, whether they’re happening in the heart of San Francisco, the wider Bay Area, or around the globe.

Top Categories

  • Arts238
  • Crime236
  • Education138
  • News2,285
  • Politics150
  • Uncategorized3
© 2024 San Francisco News. All Rights Reserved.
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Our Authors
  • Legal
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?