"OAKLAND San Leandro City Councilman Bryan Azevedo pleaded not guilty Wednesday to federal charges claiming he accepted a $2,000 bribe from a fledgling housing housing company, then lied about the alleged scheme to investigators. Wearing a dark grey suit and red tie, Azevedo said little during his first courtroom appearance on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, as well as lying to a government agency."
"The hearing comes just days after federal prosecutors signaled that a plea deal for the two-term councilman may be in the works. Azevedo is close to reaching a resolution of his case, meaning there likely there won't be any substantive hearings until a potential change of plea or sentencing hearing, federal prosecutors wrote in a court filing earlier this month. On Wednesday, U.S. Assistant Attorney Abraham Fine reiterated that stance, saying he was very close to resolving Azevedo's case."
"Any potential plea deal could have significant implications for a related federal corruption case against former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, as well as her romantic partner, Andre Jones, and the father-and-son business duo of David and Andy Duong. Both of the cases are widely believed to center around alleged bribery schemes involving Evolutionary Homes, a business co-founded by David Duong. On Wednesday, both cases were assigned to the same federal judge."
San Leandro City Councilman Bryan Azevedo pleaded not guilty to federal charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and lying to a government agency. Federal prosecutors allege affiliates of a housing company paid a $2,000 cash bribe to Azevedo in November 2023 and that he lied about the scheme to investigators. He faces up to 20 years in prison on the most serious charge and was released on a $25,000 bond. Prosecutors said a plea resolution may be close, which could affect a related corruption case involving former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, Andre Jones, and David and Andy Duong.
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