"The case has moved slowly since indictments were filed in January, with court hearings since then mainly limited to discussions about gathering evidence. A similar corruption probe in San Leandro led to federal charges last week against City Councilmember Bryan Azevedo, who like Thao and Jones in Oakland is accused of accepting bribes to funnel taxpayer dollars to the Duongs' housing company, Evolutionary Homes."
"After months of silence among the defendants in Oakland, a new development emerged over the past week, when David Duong filed a motion in court challenging the credibility of an apparent FBI informant whose testimony could play a crucial role in an eventual trial. The informant, a co-conspirator who is not identified in the indictments, is widely believed to be longtime East Bay political insider Mario Juarez, a former business partner of the Duongs."
Federal indictments in January charged former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, her partner Andre Jones, and businessmen David and Andy Duong with bribery and conspiracy, but no trial date has been set. Court activity has focused mainly on evidence gathering, and the case has progressed slowly. A related San Leandro probe produced charges against City Councilmember Bryan Azevedo for allegedly funneling funds to Evolutionary Homes. David Duong recently filed a motion attacking the credibility of an apparent FBI informant, widely believed to be longtime East Bay political insider Mario Juarez, who was a former business partner of the Duongs.
Read at www.mercurynews.com
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