WHY THIS TRIAL MATTERS
The feds say two execs at California Waste Solutions, the city's recycling contractor wanted three things from then-mayor Sheng Thao:
- Get the city to buy their modular "Evolutionary Homes" units.
- Get California Waste Solutions a longer city recycling contract.
- Let them install their own picks to top city jobs.
In return, the feds say, the father-son execs David and Andy Duong secretly paid for $75,000 worth of political hit mailers against Thao's 2022 opponents. They also allegedly gave Andre Jones, her partner, a $95,000 no-show job.1
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On June 20, 2024, the FBI kicked in the door. That November, 61% of Oakland voters recalled her.
In January 2025, a grand jury indicted Thao on multiple counts including corruption and conspiracy bribery.
Now, for five or six weeks, a jury hears it all under oath.
They will see some 500 exhibits, including bank records, recorded phone calls, and videos Andy Duong allegedly secretly recorded of politicians.2
It won't end here.
The government's witness list has 68 names, including: supervisor Nikki Bas, Thao's chief of staff Leigh Hanson, former city execs Jestin Johnson and Harold Duffey, councilman Kevin Jenkins, and whistleblower Latonda Simmons.3
The FBI's informant, Mario Juarez, has already pleaded guilty.4 Former San Leandro councilman councilman Bryan Azevedo also has pleaded guilty.5
And then there's a recorded call from January 2024, filed by prosecutors.
In that recorded phone call, Andy Duong tells an Oakland councilmember that he told Thao to "get your shit together" on buying his housing units — and that after he complained, "she called Jestin.... you know, he showed up." The transcript is in the court records. You can read it for yourself.6
that runs Oakland
The unions and donors who spent almost $800,000 to elect Thao in 2022 are, for the most part, still doing business at City Hall today.789
Notes
- 1. SFist. "Feds' Sheng Thao Indictment Says She Actually Tried to Solicit $3 Million Bribe." Jan. 20, 2025. https://sfist.com/2025/01/20/feds-sheng-thao-indictment-says-she-actually-tried-to-solicit-3-million-bribe/
- 2. ABC7. "Federal judge limits prosecution exhibits against former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao." Aug. 15, 2026. https://abc7news.com/post/federal-judge-limits-prosecution-exhibits-former-oakland-mayor-sheng-thao/19680240/
- 3. S.F. Chronicle. "Sheng Thao trial: Feds release names of 68 witnesses who could testify." Jul. 31, 2026. https://www.sfchronicle.com/eastbay/article/sheng-thao-trial-witness-list-alameda-supervisor-22368924.php
- 4. Oaklandside. "FBI informant already pleaded guilty in Sheng Thao corruption case." Jul. 27, 2026. https://oaklandside.org/2026/07/27/mario-juarez-guilty-plea-sheng-thao-fbi-oakland/
- 5. United States Attorney's Office, Northern District of California. "Former San Leandro City Council Member Pleads Guilty To Accepting Bribes In Exchange For Actions To Benefit Housing Company." Feb. 11, 2026. https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndca/pr/former-san-leandro-city-council-member-pleads-guilty-accepting-bribes-exchange-actions
- 6. Oakland Report. "'More b*tches. Bring 'em all here.' Oakland council member's phone call with Sheng Thao co-defendant Andy Duong." Sept. 4, 2026. https://www.oaklandreport.org/p/sheng-thao-trial-andy-duong-councilmember-call-transcript
- 7. Oaklandside. "Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee launches campaign for re-election." Jun. 8, 2026. https://oaklandside.org/2026/06/08/oakland-mayor-barbara-lee-launches-campaign-for-re-election/
- 8. SF Chronicle. "Mayor-elect Barbara Lee selects Oakland native and progressive politico as chief of staff." May 8, 2025. https://www.sfchronicle.com/eastbay/article/mayor-elect-barbara-lee-miya-saika-chen-20315873.php
- 9. Oaklandside. "Who are Oakland's unions backing in this election?" Oct. 29, 2024. https://oaklandside.org/2024/10/29/who-are-oaklands-unions-backing-in-this-election/