The foursome are accused of orchestrating a scheme in which Thao allegedly extended contracts for Cal Waste Solutions, appointed high-level officials who would allegedly help the Duongs’ business interests, and bought housing units from another company owned by the Duongs.
The indictment also mentions an unnamed person referred to only as “Co-conspirator 1” who founded the company Thao allegedly promised to buy houses from with the Duongs, and who was allegedly involved in setting up the scheme before the November 2022 mayoral election.
Former Oakland mayor Sheng Thao indicted on bribery charges Thao, 39, removed from office in November recall, accused of key role in sprawling corruption and bribery scheme.
In exchange, the Duongs allegedly promised to pay $300,000 in direct cash payments for “no-show” jobs to Jones, and allegedly put $75,000 toward a mailer campaign that targeted Thao’s opponent in the 2022 mayoral election.
Also charged in the indictment were Andre Jones, Thao’s longtime romantic partner, and David and Andy Duong, a father-son business duo who own Cal Waste Solutions, the company that picks up the recyclables of Oakland’s more than 436,000 residents.
