The federal trial of former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao began on October 13, 2026, on charges of bribery and conspiracy to influence the 2022 mayoral election. Co-defendants Andre Jones and father-and-son businessmen David and Andy Duong also face charges, all four have pleaded not guilty, and the trial is expected to last about six weeks. Prosecutors allege the Duong family funded campaigns against Thao's rivals and paid Jones $95,000 for work he was not required to do, in return for Thao's promises to renew a recycling contract, buy housing for the homeless, and appoint people favorable to the family. Defense lawyers say Thao never asked for or accepted bribes and call the testimony of Juarez "completely fictional," while Jones's lawyer says he actually did consulting work for Evolutionary Homes.
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Original headline: Cựu Thị trưởng Oakland bị cáo buộc đổi hợp đồng lấy hỗ trợ chính trị
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