Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao’s lawyer, Tony Brass, has confirmed that Thao is not the target of the FBI investigation that led to the raid on her home and other properties. Thao is fully cooperating with federal investigators and maintains her innocence, stating that she has nothing to hide.
The FBI raid, which included the home and business of a campaign donor connected to Thao, did not result in any arrests or charges against the mayor. Despite the negative optics of the search warrant being executed at her residence, Thao’s lawyer emphasized that she would have willingly cooperated with the investigation without the need for a raid.
In addition to Thao’s home, the FBI also raided properties associated with Andy Duong, a part owner of California Waste Solutions, a recycling company previously under investigation for campaign contributions to Thao. The FBI conducted searches at 4320 View Crest Court and 1211 Embarcadero Way in Oakland, both linked to Duong’s businesses.
The Vietnamese American Business Association (VABA), headquartered at 1211 Embarcadero Way, is led by the Duong family and organized a business delegation to Vietnam last year. The FBI’s actions at these locations are part of the ongoing investigation into potential wrongdoing.
The petition to recall Mayor Sheng Thao, submitted by Oakland United to Recall Sheng Thao (OUST), garnered enough signatures to qualify for a recall election. This development comes amidst the FBI raid and the broader investigation into campaign contributions and potential misconduct involving Thao and her associates.
Despite the challenges she faces, Thao remains committed to fulfilling her duties as the mayor of Oakland and vows to provide the federal government with any information they require. Her lawyer reiterated that there is no indication that Thao is or will be the subject of any criminal investigation.
In conclusion, while the FBI raid may have raised questions and cast a shadow over Mayor Sheng Thao’s administration, she maintains her innocence and willingness to cooperate with authorities. The investigation continues to unfold, shedding light on the complex web of relationships and activities that have come under scrutiny. Thao’s future as mayor will ultimately be decided by the voters of Oakland in the upcoming recall election.