“U.S. Attorney Patrick Robbins stated that Thao allegedly made promises, including buying housing units from a company owned by the Duong family, ensuring the extension of a contract for recycling services between the City of Oakland and a company owned by David and Andy Duong, and using her influence to appoint a high-level city official to benefit the Duongs’ business interests. The Duongs reportedly made payments to Thao and Jones, which included funding a $75,000 negative mailer campaign targeting Thao’s political opponents, as reported by Fox San Francisco. Federal prosecutors also disclosed that the Duongs disguised $300,000 in payments to Thao and Jones as wages for a no-show job for Jones.
According to court documents, the payments made to Jones were made to appear as if he had a legitimate job with the Duongs’ housing company to conceal the bribery scheme. Following her election, Thao allegedly fulfilled her promise to use her influence to appoint an Oakland city official, chosen by the Duongs, to safeguard the family’s business investments.
Thao’s attorney commented on the indictment, stating, ‘The indictment itself is replete with allegations, but it lacks substantive evidence.’ The charges emerged subsequent to an FBI raid on a residence linked to Thao. Former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, who faced a recall last year, now confronts corruption charges.
In response to the allegations against Andy Duong, Winston Chan, his attorney, declared in a statement to Fox San Francisco that the accusations hold no validity. Chan expressed disappointment, claiming that Andy Duong is yet another Asian American unfairly targeted for participating in politics. He emphasized the expectation of vindicating Duong’s reputation before the court and a jury of his peers.”
