Larry Gallegos, a long-serving city employee in Oakland, has left his position amid allegations from a federal indictment linking him to a bribery scheme involving the former mayor, Sheng Thao. Although Gallegos himself has not been charged with any crime, the indictment suggests that he was favorably positioned by Thao for a role as housing director to benefit the Duong family’s recycling business. The investigation indicates meetings occurred intended to secure contracts for companies linked to the Duongs, while attempts to contact Gallegos for comment were unsuccessful.
The sprawling indictment alleges that Sheng Thao, while she was mayor in 2023, pushed for the appointment of an unnamed city staffer referred to as 'City Employee 1' to a housing director role because he would be friendly to the Duong family, the city's recycling contractor.
Though he has not been charged with a crime, the indictment claims that the Duongs and affiliates held meetings with Gallegos and spoke to him about ensuring companies controlled by the Duongs received lucrative contracts.
The FBI found records that these meetings did happen, but the indictment indicates that Juarez pursued the appointment - not that Gallegos asked for it.
Attempts to reach Gallegos for an interview were unsuccessful, highlighting the difficulty in obtaining his side of this unfolding case.
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