Shen Tao, the former mayor of Oakland, California, who was recalled by voters in November, has been indicted by a federal grand jury on corruption charges.
In addition to Tao, the Justice Department also indicted her boyfriend, Andre Jones. Mr. David Truong Duong, president of a local waste company. and Mr. Duong's son, Mr. Andy Hung Duong.
In October 2022, Ms. Thao agreed to extend her urban recycling services contract with California Waste Solutions, purchase housing units from the Duong people, and use her influence to support the Duong people. It is said that
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Former Oakland Mayor Shen Tao stands with his lawyer after being indicted on corruption charges. (KTVU)
“Examples of promises that Thao allegedly made include her agreement to purchase housing units from a company owned by the Duong family, and a recycling service that the City of Oakland entered into with one of David and Andy Duong's companies. and her agreement to use her influence to assist in the appointment of senior city officials to benefit the Duong family's business interests. ” said U.S. Attorney Patrick Robbins.
The Duongs made payments to Ms. Thao and Ms. Jones, including $75,000 in funding for a negative mail campaign targeting political opponents. fox san francisco Reported. Federal prosecutors said the Duongs also paid Ms. Thao and Ms. Jones $300,000 disguised as wages for Jones' absence.
The payments were made to appear as if Mr. Jones had legitimately worked with the Duong family's housing company to conceal the bribery, according to court documents.
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Andre Jones has also been charged. (KTVU)
After his election, Mr. Thao used his influence to appoint Oakland city officials selected by the Duongs, fulfilling a promise to protect the family's business investments, authorities said.
“The indictment itself is chock-full of charges, but it's not chock-full of evidence,” Tao's lawyer said Friday.
The charges come months after the FBI searched homes associated with Thao.
Former Oakland mayor Shen Tao, who was recalled last year, is facing corruption charges. (Jessica Christian/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)
Andy Duong's attorney, Winston Chan, said in a statement to Fox San Francisco that the allegations against his client are without merit.
“Despite the media frenzy over the past few months, we have remained silent. The government, through an objective investigation, has determined that the allegations are baseless and are a combination of gossip and speculation stitched together with fabrications and delusions. “I hope they get it right and understand that it's not too much,” Chan said.
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“But unfortunately, Andy is the latest in a long line of Asian Americans today to be unfairly singled out and to pay the price for being bold in the political arena.” “We look forward to clearing his name in court and in front of a jury of his peers.”
