Federal agents conducted raids on the home of Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao and several other properties in the city. The FBI served warrants at Thao’s house in the Lincoln Highlands neighborhood, as well as at a nearby home on Viewcrest Court and at the offices shared by the Vietnamese American Business Association (VABA) and California Waste Solutions on the Embarcadero. The owner of the Viewcrest Court house is Andrew Duong, the son of VABA chairman David Duong. Both VABA and California Waste Solutions have multiple members of the Duong family in leadership positions.
Several FBI agents were seen coming out of Thao’s home carrying boxes, but it was unclear what they were seeking or what was seized during the raids. Mayor Thao was not present at a scheduled press conference on affordable housing in San Francisco with other mayors. The raids occurred two days after the Alameda County Registrar of Voters announced that there were enough signatures on a petition to recall Thao from office. Supporters of the recall blame Thao for not doing enough to combat crime and for the city’s failure to apply for state money to combat retail crime. Thao was also criticized for firing former police chief LeRonne Armstrong and leaving the position vacant for over a year.
The FBI stated that they were conducting court-authorized law enforcement activity at Thao’s residence on Maiden Lane and provided no additional information at the time. The raids come amid growing discontent with Thao’s leadership, particularly regarding crime rates and economic issues in the city. Thao’s absence from the press conference and the connection to the recall petition suggest that the raids are linked to broader concerns about her performance as mayor. More information is expected to be released as it becomes available.
The raids on Thao’s home and other locations in Oakland by federal agents have sparked speculation about the reasons behind the investigation. Supporters of the recall petition have expressed frustration with Thao’s handling of crime and economic issues, as well as her decision to fire the former police chief and delay hiring a replacement. The involvement of the FBI in the raids adds another layer of complexity to the situation and raises questions about potential criminal activities or violations that may have prompted the searches. Further details are likely to emerge as the investigation unfolds.
The FBI’s actions in raiding the home of Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao and other properties in the city have drawn attention to the ongoing challenges facing the city and its leadership. The raids come at a time when residents are increasingly concerned about crime and economic issues, and the recall petition against Thao reflects the growing dissatisfaction with her performance. The connection between the raids, the recall effort, and Thao’s absence from a public event underscores the seriousness of the situation and the potential implications for her political future. As more information becomes available, the full extent of the investigation and its impact on Oakland’s governance will become clearer.
