FBI's Use of Informant Tested in Corruption Case Against Oakland's Former Mayor | KQED

"When images of FBI agents carrying boxes out of Sheng Thao's Oakland home hit the news and social media in June of 2024, it was the public's first glimpse of a possible investigation of the then-mayor. He is widely assumed to be Oakland businessman and former city council candidate, Mario Juarez. Juarez did not respond to KQED's request for comment on this story."

"At the heart of the dispute is a question that could shape what evidence against Oakland's former mayor a jury ultimately sees: Did federal agents rely too heavily on a deeply controversial informant to secure search warrants of the defendants' homes, vehicles and businesses - or did they already have enough evidence without him? All four defendants have pleaded not guilty. The case is scheduled to go to trial in October."

"Last year, defense attorneys began raising questions about Juarez's past. They described a decadeslong history of fraud, including instances where they say Juarez falsely accused business partners of illegal activity in an effort to escape liability for his own actions. Mauro and Hilda Bucio alleged in an August 2011 lawsuit that Juarez, who had been their real estate agent, had failed to repay $220,000 the couple had loaned him."

Images of FBI agents removing boxes from Sheng Thao's Oakland home in June 2024 marked public exposure of a possible investigation. Mario Juarez, an Oakland businessman and former city council candidate, is widely assumed to be the controversial informant whose involvement is contested. Defense attorneys have raised Juarez's alleged decadeslong history of fraud and prior disputes with business partners. Mauro and Hilda Bucio alleged Juarez failed to repay $220,000 in an August 2011 lawsuit. Juarez later filed a restraining order claiming Mauro Bucio assaulted him. Thao's attorneys say documentary evidence linking her to the scheme relies on Juarez's texts and notes. Prosecutors informed the magistrate judge about information relevant to Juarez's credibility.

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