Former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao and three co-defendants are currently standing trial over an alleged bribery scheme. The proceedings have concluded their fifth week of hearings and are expected to finish later this month.
Thao faces six federal counts in total. If convicted, she could be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison. Thao has a constitutional right not to testify and has not yet taken the stand.
The charges against Thao involve claims that during her 2022 mayoral campaign, David and Andy Duong, whose family operates California Waste Solutions, allegedly paid for negative campaign mailers targeting her rivals. Prosecutors also allege they promised Thao's romantic partner, Andre Jones, a $300,000 no-show job.
In exchange, prosecutors claim Thao promised to extend the company's multi-million-dollar city contract, appoint the Duongs' preferred individuals to municipal positions, and purchase shipping containers converted into homes for unhoused people from a company co-run by the Duongs.
All four defendants have pleaded not guilty, with their lawyers denying the existence of any bribery scheme.