Azevedo pitched Evolutionary Homes, a potential target of the FBI's probe, to San Leandro officials

Alameda County supes to select which DA applicants move on to the interview stage; Union City's third cannabis dispensary is up in smoke after strong public opposition; Lee gets three big endorsements

☕️MORNING BUZZ

—San Leandro Councilmember Bryan Azevedo’s home was raided by FBI agents on Wednesday.

The reason for the morning raid is unclear, but likely related to his ties to the Duongs, the owner of the Oakland recycling company believed to be a target of the FBI’s public corruption probe.

As has been the case in the past, Azevedo was his own worst enemy on Wednesday, telling the East Bay Times, “I’m innocent until proven guilty.”

Reporters for the San Francisco Chronicle could not reach Azevedo for comment, but unearthed a quote from Azevedo following the June 20 raids in Oakland that appears to have never been published before.

“I didn’t do nothing wrong. They’re trying to connect me with Sheng Thao, but no, I have nothing to do with her,” Azevedo said.

Azevedo traveled with Thao and other Oakland and Port of Oakland officials for trade mission to Vietnam in July 2023. Rumors of debauchery among members of the delegation while in Vietnam have run rampant for more than a year.

“We got foot massages, all legit. They were saying I had prostitutes and drugs—that’s not true,” Azevedo continued. “I don’t know what other people did but I know what I did. I am married. I didn’t do nothing to get myself in trouble.”

At the time, there were other instances on social media and a letter to the editor he penned where he offered denials without being prompted by a specific accusation.

—Wednesday’s raid at Azevedo’s home, however, suggests that alleged misbehavior in Vietnam may not be the focus of the FBI probe.

Emails obtained through public records act request show Azevedo wanted to bring a venture co-founded by the Duongs, named Evolutionary Homes, to San Leandro.

The container home company, founded in 2022, was included in a federal subpoena sent to Oakland officials in July.

Read more about the pitch for Evolutionary Homes in San Leandro in today’s newsletter.

More inside:

• Barbara Lee snags three big endorsements, but the announcement may be more about clearing the field of potential candidates before Friday’s filing deadline.

• Opponents of a third cannabis dispensary in Union City appear to have successfully blocked the proponent’s application.

• Alameda County supervisors will decide this afternoon which of the 15 applicants for district attorney will be interviewed next week.

• Unincorporated Alameda County has four Municipal Advisory Councils. A fifth MAC is coming to residents in unincorporated East County.

—411 ON THE 510—There’s much more inside! Become an East Bay Insiders subscriber today and get full access to the inside scoop every weekday morning at 6 a.m.

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PODCAST

—EPISODE 103—The East Bay Insiders Podcast travels to Castro Valley for a live recording tonight at around 7:30 p.m. Join me, Shawn Wilson, and Dan Mendoza!

—On the agenda: FBI raid in San Leandro, Alameda County DA appointment, incorporation in Castro Valley, my hometown’s economic promise, among other topics and hijinks.