• Former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao and three co-defendants face an eight-count federal corruption indictment, including bribery, mail fraud and wire fraud.
• If convicted, Thao could face up to 95 years in prison for orchestrating a “pay-to-play” scheme involving nearly $90 million in city contracts.
• The indictment alleges that Thao used her position to benefit the Duongs’ businesses in exchange for campaign support and financial kickbacks, including a $3 million bribe payment.
• Thao’s tenure as mayor was marked by controversy, leading to her recall by voters in November, with 61 percent of voters opting to remove her from office.
• The indictment highlights the severe consequences of public corruption, emphasizing the need for honesty and transparency in government.

The city of Oakland in California is reeling from the fallout of a federal corruption indictment against former Mayor Sheng Thao, who was recalled by voters in November.

Thao, along with three co-defendants, faces an eight-count indictment alleging a bribery and corruption scheme that prosecutors say undermined public trust and exploited city resources for personal gain. If convicted, Thao could face up to 95 years in prison.

The indictment unsealed Friday, Jan. 17, accuses Thao, her longtime romantic partner Andre Jones, and prominent East Bay businessmen David Duong and Andy Duong of orchestrating a “pay-to-play” scheme involving nearly $90 million in city contracts. The charges include bribery, mail fraud and wire fraud, with prosecutors alleging that Thao used her position to benefit the Duongs’ businesses in exchange for campaign support and financial kickbacks. (Related: NYC Mayor Adams INDICTED in federal corruption probe.)

According to the indictment, Thao allegedly agreed to purchase housing units from the Duongs’ company, extend a lucrative recycling contract with their firm, California Waste Solutions, and allow the family to influence high-level city appointments. In return, the Duongs allegedly funded a $75,000 negative mailer campaign against Thao’s political rivals, created websites attacking her opponents and funneled $95,000 through Jones to benefit Thao and himself.

The scheme reportedly began in October 2022, just weeks before Thao’s election as mayor, and continued after she took office. Prosecutors allege that the group discussed a $3 million bribe payment tied to the city’s purchase of 300 housing units from an unnamed co-conspirator’s company. To conceal the payments, the money was allegedly disguised as wages for Jones in a no-show job, with fake invoices created to cover their tracks.

The indictment also highlights trips Thao and the Duongs took to Vietnam in July and August 2023. The travels were partially funded by the Port of Oakland, which prosecutors say was part of the corrupt arrangement.

From hero to zero: Thao’s fall from grace

“The public deserves honesty and transparency from City Hall,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick D. Robbins during a press conference. “When elected officials agree to a pay-to-play system to benefit themselves rather than work for the best interests of their constituents, that breaches the public trust.”

Thao, who pleaded not guilty to six charges, was released on a $50,000 bond but faces travel restrictions. Her attorney Jeff Tsai criticized the case as politically motivated and built on weak evidence.

“The case is built on allegations from an unknown co-conspirator,” Tsai said. “We believe when the evidence is revealed, it will show that my client has committed no crimes.”

The indictment marks a dramatic fall from grace for Thao, who made history in 2022 as the first Hmong American woman to lead a major U.S. city. However, her tenure was marred by controversy, including the firing of popular Oakland Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong, rising crime rates and a budget crisis. These issues, coupled with the corruption allegations, led to her recall in November – with 61 percent of voters opting to remove her from office.

The June FBI raid on Thao’s home and other properties tied to the Duongs signaled the seriousness of the investigation. “Our communities are entitled to leaders who act in their best interest, free from the shadow of corruption,” said FBI Special Agent In Charge Dan Costin.

As the former mayor prepares for her next court appearance on Feb. 6, the indictment serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of public corruption. For Oakland, the path forward will require rebuilding trust and addressing the systemic challenges that have plagued the city for years.

“Serve the people in the way you are supposed to, with honesty and transparency,” said Renia Webb, Thao’s former chief of staff. “If you don’t, you are going to get recalled, and you might go to jail if you are doing illegal and corrupt stuff.”

Watch Alex Jones of InfoWars explaining the real reason why New York City Mayor Eric Adams was indicted on corruption charges, just like Sheng Thao.

This video is from the InfoWars channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Illinois mayor DISAPPEARS after investigation reveals her excessive spending.

Former Puerto Rico mayor caught on camera for bribery sentenced to 5 years behind bars.

Boston City Councilor and former illegal immigrant Tania Fernandes Anderson arrested on federal fraud charges.

NYPD’s highest-earning cop with overtime-fueled $400K salary has retired following investigation into allegations of falsified overtime slips.

Sources include:

TheEpochTimes.com 1

ABC7News.com

TheEpochTimes.com 2

Brighteon.com