Rivals of disgraced Oakland mayor reveal their frustrated reaction to her ‘long-time bribery’ scandal

Oakland’s disgraced former mayor Sheng Thao’s political opponents have said her alleged corruption was common knowledge among the city’s politicians and claimed that ‘democracy was stolen.’ 

Thao was indicted in an FBI corruption probe for allegedly funneling city contracts to two businessmen, David Duong and his son Andy, in exchange for money and benefits for herself and her partner. 

Thao, her ‘longtime partner’ Andre Jones, Andy and David were all named in an indictment on charges of bribery, conspiracy and mail and wire fraud on Friday. 

Her opponents and even a former ally had been growing increasingly frustrated after having been raising the alarm for years. 

Thao’s former chief of staff, Renia Webb, has been one of her most vocal critics and risked her career after publicly accusing her of corruption.

‘Oakland has such a bright future. [Voters] deserve a leader that’s going to stand up for what’s right, that’s going to serve the people,’ she said. 

Webb alerted the Oakland City Council about Jones’ alleged involvement in bribery and other corrupt practices. Yet, she wasn’t heard and was met with silence, even being dismissed as ‘crazy.’ 

Webb, who served in her position in 2022 and volunteered on Thao’s mayoral campaign, claimed that after discovering Jones’ schemes, she immediately told Thao.

Thao and her ‘longtime partner’ Andre Jones, Andy and David Duong, were all named in an indictment on charges of bribery, conspiracy and mail and wire fraud on Friday

Renia Webb filed a formal complaint with the Public Ethics Commission, which was already investigating Andy Duong for allegedly using straw donors to funnel money to politicians, including Thao, in exchange for political influence

‘She just told me to ignore Andre… [reminding me that I] make close to $200,000 and that we could set up our families for life,’ Webb said.  

‘I wouldn’t sell out Oakland for any amount of money. I love Oakland. We deserve better,’ Webb told CBS News. 

Shortly after Thao won her victory as mayor, Webb resigned on New Year’s Eve in 2022. 

Webb filed a formal complaint with the Public Ethics Commission, which was already investigating Andy Duong for allegedly using straw donors to funnel money to politicians, including Thao, in exchange for political influence. 

Federal prosecutors also allege that Duong funded attack ads on Thao’s political rivals, including Loren Taylor who lost to Thao by less than 700 votes. 

Taylor believed that these ads had a significant effect on the outcome of the election. He told the outlet: ‘When we’re talking about a 677-vote margin, those flyers that were funded through this scheme clearly had a direct impact on the outcome of our election.’ 

Taylor expressed his frustration and added: ‘I’m incensed that democracy was stolen from Oakland. We installed a mayor who was underqualified and corrupt, putting us in a downward spiral.’ 

Thao’s indictment came only months after she had been recalled from her position over the city’s spiraling crime. About 60 percent of Oakland voters were in favor of recalling the mayor in November.

Andre Jones, along with his partner Thao, were criminally indicted by a federal grand jury after an FBI corruption investigation. He is pictured on Friday

Federal prosecutors also allege that Duong funded attack ads on Thao’s political rivals, including Loren Taylor who lost to Thao by less than 700 votes

Loren Taylor expressed his frustration and added: ‘I’m incensed that democracy was stolen from Oakland. We installed a mayor who was underqualified and corrupt, putting us in a downward spiral’

‘We all knew, we all knew. We’ve been telling you for over a year that Sheng Thao is corrupt dishonest, and incompetent,’ said Seneca Scott, who worked as a key organizer in the recall effort. 

Scott believes the recall campaign saved the city from further damages, CBS reported. 

In a news conference on Friday, he said: ‘Oakland owes the recall effort an apology or thank you, depending on which way you voted, because now we know that we have saved Oakland a great deal of time, energy and heartache. Imagine this happened today, if she was still our mayor?’ 

Now, the race for the mayor’s seat has begun. Candidates such as Webb and former Rep. Barbara Lee are among those who have thrown their hats into the upcoming special election which is set to take place on April 15. 

Lee, however, had also previously urged voters to reject Thao’s recall, and released a statement to say she was devastated by the allegations against her in the indictment. 

Federal prosecutors allege that Thao, who was elected Oakland’s mayor in 2022, agreed that the city would purchase housing units from one of Duongs’ companies and renew the city’s contract with a recycling company David owned. 

In exchange, David and Andy are alleged to have promised to fund a $75,000 negative mailer campaign during the run-up to the 2022 election. They are also accused of a plan to funnel $95,000 in payments disguised as wages for a job that Jones did not need to show up for. 

Jones is described in the indictment as Thao’s longtime romantic partner and is said to have lived with Thao in Oakland. The pair are alleged to have received various kickbacks from the Duongs. 

Thao was at the center of an FBI corruption probe that centered on the city’s relations with the powerful Duong family, which operates its curbside recycling program

‘We all knew, we all knew. We’ve been telling you for over a year that Sheng Thao is corrupt dishonest, and incompetent,’ said Seneca Scott, who worked as a key organizer in the recall effort

Signs protesting former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao are displayed outside the court in Oakland

‘The alleged activities of the accused have led to a growing sense of distrust among taxpayers and elected officials,’ Internal Revenue Service Special Agent Linda Nguyen said at a news conference on Friday announcing the indictments.

‘As alleged, David and Andy Duong used bribes to further the profitability of their business interests and to obtain undue influence over the appointment of high-level Oakland city officials.’

If convicted of all counts, each faces up to 35 years in prison if the sentences run concurrently. However, should the judge choose to sentence consecutively the tariff could be as high as 95 years. Andy also faces an additional five years if convicted of lying to agents.

During Friday’s court appearance Thao pleaded not guilty. She was released from custody on a $50,000 bond and was prohibited from traveling outside Northern California. Jones also pleaded not guilty, after declining to comment as he arrived at court.