Oakland reacts to indictment against former Mayor Sheng Thao

Reaction to recalled Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao's indictment is rolling in. Some of the mayor's previous opponents are saying the indictment is vindication of their suspicions. 

Word of Thao's indictment on federal corruption charges has sent shockwaves through Oakland politics.

Loren Taylor, who lost to Thao by fewer than 700 votes in his 2022 bid for mayor and has once again announced that he is running for the office, has said he is outraged by the indictment. 

"My first reaction, literally anger from the pit of my stomach on the fact that Oaklanders had democracy stolen from them by this corruption," said Taylor.

Taylor said Thao's win had serious consequences for the city of Oakland. 

"There's a reason that Oaklanders get frustrated that we have the same issues that keep occurring time and time again, and we are not making progress," said Taylor. "It's because those in power are not centering Oaklanders in the decisions they make."

Local perspective:

Taylor's former campaign manager, Trishala Vinnakota, brought mailers to the federal courthouse she said were paid for by the corrupt scheme that federal prosecutors laid out. 

Vinnakota said in a race with that narrow of a margin, corruption can swing voters at a critical time. 

"These mailers were paid for by the Duongs to secure Cheng Thao's election," said Vinnakota. "It was the first step to many, many months of her pay to play bribery and schemes."

Leaders of the recall effort that successfully removed Thao from office say the federal charges validate the concerns they expressed all along. 

"Oakland owes the recall effort an apology or a thank you depending on which way you voted," said Seneca Scott. "Because now we know that we have saved Oakland a great deal of time, energy, and heartache. Imagine this happened today and she's still our mayor."

Barbara Lee, who announced she is running to be Oakland's mayor, had opposed the recall effort. 

On social media she spoke out about the federal indictment, saying in part, "The allegations contained in the criminal indictment are devastating... Every individual is entitled to constitutional protections and a presumption of innocence, but City Hall must never be for sale."

Related

Recalled Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao indicted in FBI investigation

Thao's longtime boyfriend, Andre Jones, and David Duong and his son, Andy Duong, were also charged in the indictment.

Now Thao's fate is in the hands of federal prosecutors. Former prosecutor and defense attorney, Michael Cardoza, is watching developments in the case and said it's likely Thao's attorneys will be talking with prosecutors about a plea deal. 

In fact, he said all of those who were indicted may be looking to cut a deal in their own best interest. 

"Oftentimes in cases like this, defense attorneys talk about it's a rush to the courthouse steps," said Cardoza. Who's going to get there first to say 'hey, I'm going to cooperate. Make me the lesser evil here. Let me help you prosecute me and the other co-defendants.'"

We are just over three months out from the special election to fill the seat that Thao was forced to vacate. Political watchers will be keeping a close eye to see how developments in the case against Thao impact that election.

Sheng ThaoCrime and Public Safety