previous Oakland, California, Mayor Sheng Tao, who was ousted by voters in November, has been indicted by a federal grand jury on corruption charges.

In addition to Thao, the Justice Department also filed charges against her boyfriend, Andre Jones; David Trung Duong, the head of a local garbage disposal company; and Duong’s son, Andy Hung Duong.

In October 2022, Thao allegedly agreed to expand a city Recycling services Contracted with California Waste Solutions to purchase a home from the Duong family and used her influence to help them.

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Former Auckland mayor Sheng Tao stands with her lawyer after being accused of corruption. (KTV University)

“Thao’s alleged commitments included her agreement to purchase housing units from a company owned by the Duong family, her agreement to secure an extension of the City of Oakland’s recycling services contract with a company owned by David and Andy Duong. She agreed to use her influence to help appoint a senior city officials to benefit the Duong family’s business interests,” said U.S. Attorney Patrick Robbins.

The Duong family made payments to Thao and Jones, including funding a $75,000 negative mail campaign targeting her political opponents, Fox San Francisco reported. Federal prosecutors said the Duongs also paid Thao and Jones $300,000, disguised as wages for Jones’ absence from work.

The payments were made to cover up the bribes by making it appear Jones had a legitimate job at the Duans’ real estate company, court documents show.

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Andre Jones is also charged in the indictment (KTV University)

After being elected, Thao followed through on a promise to use his influence to appoint an Oakland city official selected by the Duong family to protect the family’s business investments, authorities said.

“The indictment itself is full of accusations but not sufficient evidence,” Thao’s lawyer said Friday.

The charges were filed months after the incident. FBI raid A home connected to Thao.

Former Auckland mayor Sheng Tao, who was recalled last year, faces corruption charges. (Jessica Christian/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)

Andy Duong’s attorney, Winston Chan, said in a statement to Fox San Francisco that the allegations against his client are baseless.

“Despite the frenzied media coverage of the past few months, we have remained silent in the hope that the government will properly recognize through an objective investigation that these allegations are baseless and are fueled by nothing more than gossip and assumptions cobbled together by fabrications and delusions.” Those who lack basic credibility,” Chen said.

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“But, disappointingly, Andy is now the latest in a long line of Asian Americans who have been unfairly singled out for daring to be politically active and forced to pay the price,” he added. “We look forward to restoring his good name in court and before a jury of his peers.”