"Motions filed last week by Thao, her romantic partner Andre Jones, and businessman Andy Duong join a filing by Andy's father and business partner David Duong in October and make additional arguments. All four people were indicted in January for allegedly concocting a bribery scheme in which the Duongs - who run Oakland's curbside recycling company, California Waste Solutions - would help Thao get elected and pay Jones a bribe in exchange for lucrative contracts from the Thao administration."
"The US attorney's case focuses heavily on Evolutionary Homes, a short-lived modular housing company the Duongs launched with Fruitvale businessman Mario Juarez before the founders had a falling-out. Prosecutors claim that Thao agreed to purchase their shipping container homes for the city to use as homeless shelters, in exchange for the Duongs paying Jones $95,000 for what the indictment calls a "no-show job" at the company and promising him up to $3 million more."
Former Mayor Sheng Thao, her partner Andre Jones, and businessmen Andy and David Duong seek suppression of evidence seized in FBI raids last year. All four were indicted in January on federal bribery charges alleging the Duongs promised campaign support and payments to secure city contracts. Prosecutors center the case on Evolutionary Homes, a modular housing venture co-founded with Mario Juarez, alleging a $95,000 payment to Jones for a 'no-show job' and promises of up to $3 million. Records identify 'Co-conspirator 1' as Juarez, who faces numerous fraud and embezzlement accusations. Defendants claim the FBI affidavit relied on an unreliable informant and downplayed his history.
Read at The Oaklandside
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]