Ex-Oakland mayor’s bribery case uncovers ‘compromising’ movies: feds

Federal prosecutors not too long ago launched new particulars of their corruption and bribery case in opposition to former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao — together with the alleged existence of embarrassing blackmail movies of Bay Space politicos.

Thao, who was recalled from workplace amid rising crime charges, and her boyfriend Andre Jones have been accused of accepting bribes from David Duong and his son Andy Duong of California Waste Options, a serious Bay Space waste administration firm.

They’ve all pleaded not responsible — however new particulars launched by prosecutors have fueled rumors about who else may very well be ensnared within the sprawling corruption case, which includes alleged bribes, mortifying social gathering pics, pretend jobs and even a sex-fueled jaunt to Vietnam.

The brand new info was made public Friday in response to the defendants searching for to exclude proof from the trial that their attorneys declare are unrelated to the costs.

Potential bombshell proof may come from Andy Duong’s cellphone, which was seized in June 2024 and incorporates dozens of movies “displaying numerous public officers dancing at golf equipment, ingesting alcohol, or partaking in party-like conduct,” prosecutors stated.

Prosecutors allege that Andy Duong “filmed/recorded metropolis workers and officers as a part of the conspiracy, with the hopes of utilizing the recordings for potential blackmail.”

The feds have cited just one instance of blackmail materials, involving Larry Gallegos, who was a challenge supervisor for the Financial and Workforce Improvement Division. The fabric allegedly depicts him at a karaoke bar “with scantily clad ladies within the background.”

The Duongs allegedly requested Thao to nominate Gallegos to a high-ranking place within the housing division to assist pave the way in which for the awarding of a contract to Evolutionary Houses, a enterprise partnership between the Duongs and native businessman Mario Juarez.

Juarez as soon as texted Duong requested for a great date to [t]ake Larry Gallegos to social gathering – he’s a faithful Christian – consider his sins whereas he events,” per prosecutors.

Gallegos will not be accused of any wrongdoing, in accordance with prosecutors, and is anticipated to testify that Duong took pictures of him with “scantily clad” ladies at a membership.

Juarez, who has already pleaded responsible, will even testify that Andy Duong informed him “he often took surreptitious pictures and movies of politicians in compromising positions for potential use in opposition to them,” the feds stated.

Duong’s alleged blackmail trove might also embrace incriminating snaps from a infamous August 2023 junket in Vietnam, which Thao and different native pols attended.

Afterwards, a neighborhood reporter started inquiring about members of the junket delegation “partaking in relations with prostitutes.” And authorities later found a video on Duong that exhibits him and ex-San Leandro Councilmember Bryan Azevedo “discussing sexual interactions from the earlier night,” in accordance with filings.

Azevedo has pleaded responsible and can testify within the case.

The proof tease has many within the public and on social media clamoring for extra as hypothesis runs rampant about who else within the California political world could also be caught up within the alleged blackmail makes an attempt.

State Assemblymember Ash Kalra, who has not been accused of wrongdoing, has been linked to a karaoke bar known as Music Cafe, which the Duongs have been accused of utilizing to illegally funnel political contributions. The membership was later busted for promoting ketamine and intercourse to friends.

Textual content messages present Kalra was invited to go to the bar by Andy Duong. Kalra’s workplace had stated the shared textual content messages exhibits he cooperated totally with state investigators.

“Apart from a handful of textual content messages and a single lunch 6 years in the past as referenced within the filings, the assemblymember didn’t have a relationship with Mr. Duong and has not returned to his institutions or interacted with him since,” Kalra’s workplace stated in an announcement.

One other identify linked to the Duongs is California Lawyer Normal Rob Bonta. Juarez allegedly despatched a Could 2024 letter to Bonta claiming there was a compromising video of him, ABC7 reported.

Bonta’s ties to the Duongs have been closely scrutinized. Bonta’s workplace informed ABC7 that he’s not involved about that report of a compromising video, saying Juarez wrote that letter as “a determined man at a determined second with partitions closing in.”

Different potential proof that the feds detailed on Friday embrace recordings that make clear communications between the Duongs and the ex-mayor and the creation of a pretend job for Jones to acquire a lease.

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