Timeline of FBI investigation into ex-Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao
OAKLAND, Calif. - Former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao has been indicted by a federal grand jury on criminal charges related to an FBI bribery case, the Department of Justice announced Friday, six months after agents raided her home and two months after she was voted out of office.
Thao's longtime boyfriend, Andre Jones, and David Duong and his son, Andy Duong, were also charged in the indictment.
U.S. Attorney Patrick D. Robbins said the defendants used bribes, mail fraud, wire fraud, and other illegal practices to manipulate and corruptly influence local government.
Robbins said the defendants knowingly entered into agreements "knowing that bribes would be offered and accepted by Thao and Jones in exchange for allowing the Duong's to exercise illegal influence over the levers of city government."
The San Francisco Chronicle was first to report this development on Thursday.
Here's a timeline of the FBI's investigation into Thao that began last summer, leading to her eventual recall in November and charges in January.
June 20, 2024
FBI raid at Thao's home
The backstory:
Thao’s home was raided by the FBI in June, though at the time, the agency would not confirm what they were investigating.
"The FBI is conducting court-authorized law enforcement activity on Maiden Lane. We are unable to provide additional information at this time," the department said in June.
FBI agents were seen coming in and out of the Maiden Lane home with gloves and badges.
Thao was not seen at the home when agents carried out the raid.
At least three other locations were also raided in 2023 and were being investigated by the FBI, including 1211 Embarcadero, the location of Cal Waste, owned by the Duong Family.
FBI raid at 3 more locations
The two other locations were also associated with the Duong family, on View Crest Court and Skyline Boulevard.
At the View Crest home, a neighbor who wished to remain anonymous told KTVU in June he saw two people in handcuffs at the home, as FBI agents continued their investigation.
Duong Family
The Duong family is heavily involved in politics and fundraising for politicians in state and local government. The IRS also confirmed with KTVU that their criminal investigation agents were at the scene of Cal Waste on Embarcadero for law enforcement reasons.
The Duong family owns Cal Waste Solution.
June 24, 2024
Thao's denial
The other side:
Thao has consistently said she is innocent of any crime or wrongdoing.
"I am 1,000% confident that I will be vindicated," Thao said in 2024."I still have the same questions. What was the probable cause to come into my home, to make this huge scene? You know, at the end of the day, the reason why I'm still making sure that we're moving with all the successes in the city of Oakland is because I know I did nothing wrong."
November 5, 2024
Thao was recalled by Oakland voters in the November election. Thao's recall, along with former District Attorney Pamela Price, were the first successful recalls in the city's history.
The last time a mayoral recall vote occurred in Oakland was in 1917 against Mayor John Davis, and it was unsuccessful, the city clerk’s office told the San Francisco Chronicle. There were calls to recall Mayor Libby Schaaf and Mayor Jean Quan, but those efforts never made the ballot.
Dec. 17, 2024
Thao departed her mayoral seat in December after the recall election. Nikki Fortunado Bas served as mayor until Jan. 6, when she assumed her role as an Alameda County supervisor. City councilmember Kevin Jenkins was appointed president of Oakland's city council on Jan. 6, allowing him to become the city's interim mayor.
Voters will choose the city's next mayor in an April special election.
Jan. 16, 2025
Andre Jones indictment
Jones, Thao's boyfriend, was indicted on Thursday, his attorney confirmed to KTVU.
Following the FBI raid of Thao's home in June, Oakland City Attorney Barbara Parker had to hand over documents to federal officials.
Parker was also asked to preserve and provide documents and communications related to Andre Jones, who had been the assistant chief for the State Bureau of Cannabis Control, and who has been Thao's romantic partner for 10 years.
The two met when he was chief of staff for Councilwoman Rebecca Kaplan, where Thao also worked.
Federal agents said they also wanted to see documents related to the 2022 Oakland mayoral election and all calendar entries involving Thao and Jones from June 1, 2022, to the present.
Jan. 17, 2025
Charges announced
The Department of Justice announced formal criminal charges Friday morning related to an FBI bribery case against Thao, along with Jones, Andy Duong and David Duong.
The Source: The Department of Justice, previous KTVU reporting and the San Francisco Chronicle