"The federal government says it had ample evidence to pursue its case against former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao and three other defendants without relying heavily on the testimony of an informant with a checkered history. This is one of the big takeaways from a motion prosecutors filed last week in the case against Thao, her romantic partner Andre Jones, and David and Andy Duong of California Waste Solutions."
"Thao, Jones, and the Duongs are accused of participating in a conspiracy in which the Duongs helped Thao get elected and paid bribes to Jones in exchange for various favors, including the promise to award a lucrative housing contract to a company called Evolutionary Homes. The housing company was controlled by the Duongs and a person identified in court filings as "Co-conspirator 1.""
"Based on records and interviews, we've identified Co-conspirator 1 as Mario Juarez, a Fruitvale businessman who has been accused in court of fraud and embezzlement on multiple occasions over the past two decades. He has also been charged in three criminal cases but never convicted. The Duongs, Thao, and Jones have tried to undermine the government's case by attacking Co-conspirator 1's credibility."
Prosecutors filed a motion asserting they had ample evidence to pursue charges against former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, her partner Andre Jones, and David and Andy Duong without heavy reliance on an informant. The informant is cooperating under a proffer, providing information in exchange for potential benefits such as immunity or other leniency. The case alleges the Duongs helped Thao get elected and paid bribes to Jones for favors, including a promised award of a lucrative housing contract to Evolutionary Homes. Records and interviews identify Co-conspirator 1 as Mario Juarez, who has faced multiple fraud and embezzlement accusations and has been charged in criminal cases without convictions. Defendants filed motions to suppress evidence, arguing the FBI omitted key informant background details that could have affected search warrants, and a major hearing is scheduled for March.
Read at The Oaklandside
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