Sheng Thao, recently removed from her position as mayor of Oakland, California, due to ongoing dissatisfaction with high crime, has now reportedly been indicted on federal corruption allegations, authorities disclosed on Friday.
Ms. Thao is one of four individuals facing charges. The federal indictment additionally identifies Ms. Thao’s partner, Andre Jones; the chief executive of a local trash management firm, David Trung Duong; and Mr. Duong’s son, Andy Hung Duong.
Patrick D. Robbins, the first assistant U.S. attorney for the Northern District of California, stated on Friday that Ms. Thao had consented in October 2022 to prolong a municipal contract with California Waste Solutions, procure housing from the Duongs, and leverage her influence to assist them in return for a campaign mail initiative and ancillary payments that would advantage both her and Mr. Jones.
California Waste Solutions subsequently expended $75,000 on a negative mailer that benefited Ms. Thao’s campaign during the 2022 mayoral election, according to authorities.
Following Ms. Thao’s assumption of office, the corporation sent $95,000 to Mr. Jones for a “no-show” position and pledged more payments to the couple in return for Ms. Thao’s influence at City Hall, as stated in the indictment.
Prosecutors asserted that Ms. Thao executed actions to assist enterprises owned by the Duongs and appointed a senior city official of their choosing.
Ms. Thao is confronted with six allegations, encompassing bribery, conspiracy, mail fraud, and wire fraud. Ms. Thao and the other defendants entered pleas of not guilty during their arraignment hearings on Friday.
Ms. Thao was granted freedom on a $50,000 bond. During her arraignment, Judge Kandis A. Westmore prohibited her from going outside the region, and Ms. Thao relinquished her passport.
Judge Westmore stated that she could not communicate with the Duong family, however she indicated that she might maintain contact with Mr. Jones.
David Duong was freed on an unsecured bond and prohibited from traveling outside the region, except for a prearranged flight on Sunday to attend President-elect Donald J. Trump’s inauguration in Washington the subsequent day.
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