Former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao and three others have been indicted on charges of bribery, conspiracy, and mail and wire fraud. The indictment alleges that Thao, her longtime partner Andre Jones, and local businessmen Andy and David Duong conspired to funnel city business to companies owned by the Duongs in exchange for money and benefits.
According to the indictment, Thao agreed to have the city purchase housing units from one of the Duongs’ companies and renew the city’s contract with a recycling company owned by David Duong. In return, the Duongs allegedly promised to fund a $75,000 mailer attacking Thao’s political opponents and make $300,000 in payments for a no-show job for Jones.
If convicted, each of the four defendants faces up to 35 years in prison. Andy Duong also faces up to an additional five years if convicted of lying to federal agents.
Thao’s attorney did not immediately respond to requests for comment, while the attorneys for Jones and the Duongs could not be reached. Thao was ousted from office in a recall election in November, just two years after she was elected as the first Hmong-American woman to become the mayor of a major US city.