Recalled Oakland mayor indicted on federal corruption charges

Shocking news surrounding a former California mayor has made headlines.

Former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao has been INDICTED on corruption charges.

She was not alone in the indictment -- her boyfriend, Andre Jones, was also charged by the Justice Department!

Along with Jones, David Trung Duong and Andy Hung Duong have also been charged.

Jones is the head of a California garbage hauling company.

It has been reported that it all stems from a corrupt decision Thao made back in the fall of 2022 when Thao allegedly said she would extend the recycling contract between the city and Jones’ company.

Thao also reportedly purchased housing units from the Duongs and used her power to aid her friends.

Politicians in America are supposed to be working for the people they represent, not making sure their buddies get a leg up on the competition!

U.S. Attorney Patrick Robbins has now provided a statement on the news:

“Examples of promises allegedly made by Thao included her agreement to purchase housing units from a company owned by the Duong family, her agreement to ensure the extension of a contract for recycling services that the City of Oakland had with one of David and Andy Duong's companies and her agreement to use influence to help appoint a high-level city official to benefit the Duongs' business interests,” said Robbins.

Since the indictment, Thao’s lawyer had something to say as well.

“The indictment itself is chock-full of allegations, but it is not chock-full of evidence,” Thao’s attorney said.

Winston Chan, an attorney for Andy Duong, also released a statement on the allegations.

"We have kept quiet despite the media frenzy of the past months in the hope that the government would correctly come to see through objective investigation that the allegations are baseless and being fanned by nothing more than gossip and supposition stitched together by the fabrications and delusions of those who lack all fundamental credibility,” Chan explained.

“But, disappointingly, Andy instead is today the most recent in a long line of Asian Americans who unfairly are singled out and forced to pay a price for daring to be active in the political sphere. We look forward to clearing his good name before the court and a jury of his peers,” Chan continued.

Do you think Thao, Jones, and the Duongs will be found guilty of the charges?