Bigger than Thao

The FBI's investigation in Oakland could be a political earthquake that ensnares anyone with ties to the Duongs from the East Bay to the South Bay

California Waste Solutions part-owner Andy Duong, Attorney General Rob Bonta, and Manny Pacquiao in the Philippines.

—WHAT WE KNOW—On Friday, more than a day after the FBI raid on Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao’s home, she broke her silence. Well, kinda.

—Thao’s representative, San Francisco attorney Tony Brass, said he believes the mayor was not the target of the raid.

—“She is and always has been ready and willing to answer questions, ready and willing to cooperate in this investigation,” Brass in a statement. “The FBI never approached her. This is the first she knows of this investigation.”

—Brass said Thao will provide further comment sometime this week.

—The focus over the weekend shifted to Renia Webb, Thao’s former chief of staff and Andre Jones, Thao’s boyfriend.

—Webb believes Jones was involved in a pay-to-play scheme within the mayor’s office. Webb made similar allegations last year.

—“I had found out that Andre, her boyfriend, was promising people jobs in our administration, promising people appointments on different commissions and boards.” Webb told KPIX.  

—”I definitely believe that, out of the mouth of the people that told me, they were promised positions, they were promised board positions. And [they would always say] Andre, you know? That's who they would say, ‘Andre promised me this.’”

—Meanwhile, the political dealings of the Duong Family, the owners of Oakland’s recycling vendor, California Waste Solution, is being further scrutinized.

—The home of Andy Duong was also raided last Thursday, as was the offices of California Waste Solutions and the Vietnamese American Business Association, which are tied to the Duongs.

—HERE’S WHAT I’VE LEARNED—While the media is focusing on Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao and her boyfriend, Andre Jones, this developing story appears to be breathtakingly wide in scope.

—Geographically, it could a political earthquake that consumes Oakland, San Leandro, San Jose, Sacramento, and a number of states.

—Politically, anyone with ties to the Duongs could be devoured by federal government agents…

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