Dont ComplyCourthouse News reports that Mario Juarez, an FBI cooperator who pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bribery, testified in the federal trial of former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao and three co-defendants. Juarez said under oath, "I bribed Mayor Sheng Thao." Prosecutors allege Juarez and David and Andy Duong, who founded Evolutionary Homes, agreed to help fund Thao's 2022 mayoral campaign in exchange for city contracts to build homes for unhoused people. Juarez testified that Thao's partner, Andre Jones, was to receive $10,000 per house sold to the city. Thao, Jones and the Duongs were indicted in January 2025 and have pleaded not guilty. Defense attorney Edward Swanson challenged Juarez's credibility over his earlier statements to the FBI.
Why it matters
The case involves allegations that a mayoral candidate's campaign support was traded for city housing contracts. The defendants are presumed innocent, and the charges have not been proven.
These are unproven claims, and everyone named is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. Researched with AI assistance from the sources listed here and reviewed under our methodology.