Former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao Faces Federal Bribery Trial Amid Witness Credibility Fight

Former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao is scheduled for a federal trial that will examine alleged bribery, conspiracy and fraud involving her, partner Andre Jones, and the Duong family of California Waste Solutions. Prosecutors allege a quid pro quo in which the Duongs funded negative campaign mailers and paid Jones $300,000 through a no-show job at Evolutionary Homes in exchange for Thao’s promises to award city contracts and appoint allies to senior positions.

The case relies heavily on Mario Juarez, a businessman who co-founded Evolutionary Homes with the Duongs and later turned informant for the FBI; his past fraud convictions and numerous lawsuits are being highlighted by the defense to question his truthfulness. The government also plans to call several current and former local elected officials, including Alameda County Supervisor Nikki Fortunato Bas and Oakland Councilmember Kevin Jenkins, as witnesses.

Additional evidence includes texts, emails, recorded calls and video footage seized from the defendants’ homes. The trial is expected to last about six weeks, concluding around Thanksgiving, and will test whether the informant’s testimony can withstand the credibility attacks mounted by the defense.