Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao’s home was raided by the FBI as part of a larger investigation into public corruption. This investigation involves multiple federal agencies, including the FBI, IRS, and U.S. Postal Service. According to abc7news.com, the raid on Thao’s residence was not targeted directly at her but rather at gathering information potentially located at her home. Her lawyer, Tony Brass, emphasized that Thao is not a target of the investigation and is fully cooperating with authorities, expressing regret that the search warrant created a public perception of corruption (foxnews.com). Brass stated that Thao would have willingly cooperated without the need for such a search (nbcbayarea.com).
The investigation is linked to the Duong family, owners of California Waste Solutions, a significant political donor in Oakland. The Duong family has been under scrutiny for allegedly funneling campaign contributions to various political candidates, including Mayor Thao, through illegal means (sfchronicle.com). The FBI raided multiple properties associated with the Duong family as part of the same operation. The Oakland Public Ethics Commission has been investigating the Duongs for a money laundering scheme involving straw donors, as confirmed by sources cited in abc7news.com.
Mayor Thao is also facing a recall election in November, following a petition that garnered enough signatures to be placed on the ballot. Critics argue that her involvement, even peripherally, in the federal investigation and other personal issues distracts from her ability to govern effectively. They cite increased crime rates and budgetary problems as additional reasons for seeking her recall (kqed.org). Supporters, however, argue that Thao is committed to transparency and that the investigation should not hinder her ability to lead. They believe the timing of the raid, which came shortly after the recall petition qualified for the ballot, suggests a politically motivated effort to undermine her leadership (newsweek.com).
Thao’s former chief of staff, Renia Webb, detailed a chaotic work environment in the mayor’s office, much of it centered around Thao’s partner, Andre Jones. Webb resigned from her position, partly due to concerns about the amount of money being funneled into Thao’s campaign by Andy Duong. Webb shared these concerns with the FBI during a meeting in February 2023 (abc7news.com). Webb described the situation as one where the mayor’s partner was attempting to secure jobs and positions for donors and supporters, further complicating the administration’s functioning (kqed.org).
The FBI raid and subsequent public scrutiny have led to calls for Mayor Thao’s resignation from various community leaders and political opponents. They argue that the ongoing investigation undermines public trust and hampers the city’s ability to attract business and investment. Despite these challenges, Mayor Thao’s lawyer insists that she remains focused on her duties and committed to cooperating with the federal authorities. The situation remains fluid, with Thao expected to address the public soon regarding the investigation and her plans moving forward (nbcbayarea.com). The investigation and recall efforts continue to be significant points of contention in Oakland’s political landscape, highlighting broader issues of governance and public trust within the city.