Shocking Corruption Scheme: Ex-Mayor Charged!

Federal prosecutors have unsealed a damning eight-count indictment against former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, exposing a brazen pay-to-play corruption scheme that undermines public trust in local government and demonstrates how special interests can literally buy influence over city services.

Quick Take

Former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao indicted on bribery, mail fraud, and wire fraud charges for allegedly exchanging official favors for campaign cash and hidden payments.
Federal prosecutors allege Thao promised to extend a recycling contract, purchase housing units, and appoint city officials selected by local businessmen David and Andy Duong in exchange for $75,000 in negative campaign mailers and $95,000 in no-show job payments.
The scheme represents textbook government corruption: elected officials using their power to enrich themselves and their allies while taxpayers foot the bill.
Thao was recalled by Oakland voters in November 2024 before the indictment was unsealed in January 2025, reflecting public disgust with her governance.

A Corrupt Bargain Exposed

Former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao has been indicted by a federal grand jury on criminal charges related to an alleged bribery conspiracy [1]. The indictment, unsealed in January 2025, charges Thao, her longtime boyfriend Andre Jones, and local businessmen David Trung Duong and Andy Hung Duong with bribery offenses, conspiracy, mail fraud, and wire fraud [5]. U.S. Attorney Patrick Robbins described the scheme as one in which defendants used bribes, mail fraud, wire fraud, and other illegal practices to manipulate and corruptly influence the levers of local government [1]. The indictment alleges that beginning in October 2022—before the mayoral election—Thao made promises to benefit the Duong family in exchange for financial support and hidden payments [5].

Promises Exchanged for Cash and Campaign Support

According to federal prosecutors, Thao promised to purchase housing units from a company owned by the Duong family, ensure the extension of Oakland’s recycling services contract with one of the Duongs’ companies, and use her influence to appoint a high-level city official selected by the Duongs to benefit their business interests [5]. In exchange, the Duongs funded a $75,000 negative mailer campaign targeting Thao’s mayoral opponents and made $95,000 in payments to Jones disguised as wages for a no-show job at their housing company [1]. The indictment alleges these payments were made with the promise of additional future payments, all intended to benefit Thao and Jones [5]. After Thao was elected, prosecutors claim she fulfilled her commitments by using her influence to appoint a city official selected by the Duongs to protect their business investments [4].

Federal Investigation and Evidence

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) raided Thao’s home in June 2024 as part of the corruption investigation, with agents carrying boxes of documents from the residence [1]. Federal agents also executed search warrants at the Oakland office of Cal Waste Solutions, the recycling company providing services to Oakland, and at the homes of David Duong and his son Andy Duong [2]. The U.S. Attorney’s Office subpoenaed the City of Oakland for documents related to the 2022 mayoral election and all calendar entries involving Thao and Jones from June 2022 onward [1]. A former aide to Thao, Renia Webb, testified before a federal grand jury and told investigators about alleged corruption in the city, stating that she had warned many people about the scheme but no one wanted to listen [2].

Accountability and Public Trust

Thao was recalled by Oakland voters in November 2024, two months before the indictment was unsealed, reflecting deep public frustration with her administration’s handling of crime, homelessness, and government effectiveness [2]. The indictment represents a significant accountability moment for a city already struggling with governance challenges and resident skepticism about whether elected officials serve the public interest or special interests [1]. Thao has consistently denied any crime or wrongdoing, and her attorney stated that the indictment is “chock-full of allegations, but it is not chock-full of evidence” [4]. The case will proceed through federal court, where prosecutors must prove their allegations beyond a reasonable doubt.

This corruption case underscores a troubling reality: when government officials view their power as a commodity to be sold to the highest bidder, ordinary citizens lose faith in the institutions meant to serve them. Oakland voters already demonstrated their frustration by recalling Thao before federal charges were even announced, but the indictment reveals the full scope of the alleged betrayal of public trust. As the Trump administration continues to prioritize law and order and government accountability, cases like Thao’s demonstrate why federal prosecution of public corruption remains essential to restoring integrity to American governance.