OAKLAND — A recent indictment has brought former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, along with her longtime partner and two local business figures, into the spotlight for allegedly conspiring to direct city contracts to businesses owned by the men in return for financial incentives. The indictment was made public on Friday.
Thao, Andre Jones, and business partners Andy and David Duong face serious allegations, including bribery, conspiracy, and mail and wire fraud. Additionally, Andy Duong has been charged with one count of providing false information to federal agents. All four individuals made their initial court appearance on the same day the indictment was unsealed.
Prosecutors at the federal level assert that Thao, who assumed office as Oakland’s mayor in 2022, engaged in arrangements to have the city acquire housing units from one of the Duong’s enterprises and extend its contract with a recycling firm linked to David Duong. In return for these actions, the Duong family allegedly pledged to finance a $75,000 mail campaign against Thao’s political rivals and secure $300,000 for a job that Jones purportedly would not need to perform, with Jones being described in the indictment as Thao’s longtime partner.
Internal Revenue Service Special Agent Linda Nguyen addressed the situation at a press conference on Friday, stating, “The alleged actions by those charged have fostered a growing distrust among taxpayers and local officials.” She further claimed that the Duongs used bribery tactics to enhance the profitability of their business ventures and to gain undue influence over the appointments of senior officials within the city of Oakland.
David Duong held the title of president and CEO of a recycling firm catering to residential waste collection services in Oakland. Alongside Andy Duong, he co-founded a housing company in 2022 aimed at producing prefabricated modular homes designed to assist homeless individuals.
Should they be found guilty of all the charges against them, each individual could face a potential prison sentence of up to 35 years. In addition, Andy Duong risks an extra five years if convicted on the false statement charge.
Thao’s legal representation, Jeff Tsai, has not yet commented publicly regarding the indictments. Records show no indication of legal representation for either Jones or the Duongs. Efforts to reach David Duong’s recycling company, Cal Waste Solutions, went unreturned.
In June, after federal agents searched her residence, Thao issued a resolute statement asserting her innocence and maintaining that she had no intention of stepping down from her mayoral role.
The political landscape shifted significantly when voters in Oakland organized a recall election in November, removing Thao from office just two years after her historic election as the first Hmong-American woman to serve as mayor in a major U.S. city.
Thao faced immediate backlash following her appointment, particularly for the dismissal of popular Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong. Disappointed constituents, including local branches of the NAACP, held her accountable for an array of challenges confronting the city, including issues with public safety, homelessness, and budget management, which contributed to her weakened position leading up to the recall election.
As Oakland looks ahead, longtime Democratic U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee is among those poised to vie for the mayoral position to succeed Thao.
