Recalled Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, boyfriend, Duong family members, indicted on federal bribery charges, all plead not guilty
What we know from the FBI.
Federal law enforcement held a news conference Friday morning detailing the eight-count grand jury indictment against Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, her boyfriend Andre Jones, and two members of the Duong family, a politically powerful family.
The indictment alleges a corrupt scheme involving bribes, mail fraud, and wire fraud to manipulate local government, including the USPS, according to Patrick D. Robbins, First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of California.
Thao received kickbacks from the Duongs, including financing a negative mailer campaign and $95,000 disguised as wages for a “no-show job”, according to the indictment.
FBI agents searched San Leandro Council Member Bryan Azevedo’s home this week, but he wasn’t indicted.
Thao’s home, shared with Jones was raided last June.
Thao has remained defiant, blaming the recall and investigation on a right-wing conspiracy.
In Federal Court Friday morning, Thao, Jones, and the Duongs, turned themselves in to federal authorities and attended court, where they all pleaded not guilty to the crimes they are accused of committing.