Former Oakland mayor's calls played at bribery and corruption trial
OAKLAND, Calif. (KGO) -- Jurors in the federal bribery and corruption trial of former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao heard recordings Thursday that prosecutors argued showed her relationship with David and Andy Duong of California Waste Solutions and how the parties allegedly worked together for mutual benefit.
Prosecutors presented photos and other evidence showing repeated contact between Thao and the Duong family.
Among the images shown to jurors were photos of Thao, her partner and co-defendant Andre Jones, and the Duongs on a luxury-class flight to Vietnam.
The government also described how the Duongs paid the airfare for Thao's teenage son, who accompanied the mayor on a vacation to Thailand following the trade mission to Vietnam.
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Jurors also heard a phone call between Thao and Andy Duong in which Thao complained that the Duongs had invited two Oakland City Council members she considered rivals to a special event.
"I'm not going to stand around with these two b*****s who constantly talk s**t about me and make a big issue to their, their constituents. They'd be like, oh God, the mayor's gone. She's in Vietnam," Thao said in the recording.
"In another recorded conversation, Andy Duong complained to Councilmember Kevin Jenkins that Thao was stalling a city purchase of 300 container homes. The $90 million venture -- intended for unhoused residents -- was tied to Evolutionary Homes, a company connected to the Duongs."
"You got to be straight and you want to, you know, probably that you felt like this is too much pressure for you, this ain't right for you then let us know. Then we will, you know, know what to do. But then if you really want to continue for another term, then you better start acting right," Duong said in the recording.
Jurors also heard a recording in which Thao discussed information from closed-door City Council meetings regarding allegations that the Duongs' recycling company had overcharged customers.
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"But if you have a rationale, if you could better explain why you don't owe the ratepayers any refund," Thao said.
"Right," Mario Juarez replied.
"And if I could better understand it and we can argue it better," Thao said.
The trial also saw a change in the jury. Juror no. 10 was replaced by an alternate.
The judge did not provide further details but said the process was agreed to by all parties in the case.
