Key points:

• Former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao has been indicted on federal corruption charges, alongside her boyfriend and two local businessmen.
• Thao allegedly accepted bribes from the Duongs in exchange for city contracts and favors.
• This indictment follows Thao’s recent recall from office amid rising discontent over crime and homelessness in Oakland.
• The scandal highlights serious concerns regarding public trust in local government.
• The investigation involved multiple federal agencies, emphasizing the seriousness of the alleged crimes.

Former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao and three others have been indicted on a series of federal charges, including bribery and conspiracy, as the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced this past Friday. This indictment caps off an extensive investigation by the FBI, Postal Inspection Service, and the IRS.

Thao, who was ousted by voters in November amid rising concerns about public safety and city responsiveness, faces six charges, including bribery, conspiracy, mail fraud, and wire fraud. The indictment also names her partner, Andre Jones, as well as local waste executives David Duong and his son Andy Duong.

The charges arise from allegations that Thao agreed to direct city contracts to Cal Waste Solutions, a company owned by the Duongs, facilitating a quid-pro-quo arrangement. In return for these favors, the Duongs reportedly funded a $75,000 campaign mailer targeting Thao's political opponents and paid Jones $300,000 for a no-show job. This arrangement allowed the Duongs to wield undue influence over high-level city positions and contract renewals, particularly for housing units aimed at addressing homelessness in the city.

Federal prosecutors emphasized that the essence of the charges revolves around a broken public trust, declaring, “The public needs to know it can trust those in charge of City Hall to work for the best interests of the people of Oakland.” This echoed sentiments expressed by officials, including Patrick D. Robbins, the first assistant U.S. attorney for Northern California, who stated that "this public trust was broken when elected officials agreed to a pay-to-play system to benefit themselves."

The indictment, which was unsealed at the U.S. District Court in Oakland, contains extensive evidence including text messages detailing the alleged scheme. It illustrates a scheme that had reportedly been in motion since Thao's narrow election victory in late 2022.

During her arraignment, Thao pleaded not guilty to the charges; her attorney asserted her innocence, insisting that the indictment lacks solid evidence linking her to the alleged misconduct. Meanwhile, the Duongs’ legal representation dismissed the indictment as baseless and fueled by unsubstantiated claims.

The fallout from this investigation has shaken Oakland's political landscape, further underscoring the importance of accountability among elected officials. Local leaders and former representatives have called for zero tolerance towards corruption, emphasizing the need for ethical governance in the city.

As the legal proceedings unfold, there is heightened scrutiny regarding the integrity of local government and the mechanisms that ensure it serves the interests of its constituents rather than personal gains.

For more detailed information, refer to the original reports from SFGATE and Los Angeles Times.