Bryan's state of mind

With a federal probe gaining steam, Bryan Azevedo's mental health is suffering; San Leandro may seek a tax hike, but the corruption probe may cloud public trust; John Bauters returns to politics

☕️MORNING BUZZ

—The increasing likelihood that the long arm of the law may darken San Leandro Councilmember Bryan Azevedo’s doorway soon is clearly affecting his mental health.

On Monday night, Azevedo looked haggard. His face was flaccid with bags forming beneath his eyes. During long stretches of the lengthy budget hearing, Azevedo was pensive, often stuck in a worried gaze.

Azevedo has much to lose: personal relationships, personal finances, a city council seat, his standing in the community, not to mention, possibly, his freedom.

The letter sent by federal authorities on May 12 notifying him that he’s a target of three federal statues undoubtedly ratcheted up his stress level. Azevedo was absent from the May 19 council meeting.

The list of potential charges includes bribery and lying to federal investigators, and was followed by a search of his home by FBI agents on Jan. 15.

San Leandro Councilmember Bryan Azevedo under federal investigation for bribery and conspiracy

Using the timeframe between the raid on former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao’s home in June 2024 and indictments filed against her on Jan. 17, Azevedo beleives he has 210 days until judgment day arrives. That date would be Aug. 5.

But the target letter suggests that day is coming much sooner.

In the meantime, Monday night’s council meeting provided a few insights into Azevedo’s frame of mind.

The most disconcerting being a moment when he referred to a library located in his district as the “Weekes Branch.”

“There was nothing mentioned about Weekes branch. What’s going on with Weekes branch?” Azevedo asked on Monday night.

San Leandro Library Director Brian Simons struggled to understand what Azevedo was referencing before noting a Weekes Branch Library is located in Hayward.

The Hayward library is near Tennyson Road, and relatively far from San Leandro city limits.

The San Leandro library in question is the South Branch, which was repurposed months ago, according to Simons.

—More inside:

• San Leandro is weighing a crucial tax measure to fund infrastructure repairs, but concerns about a corruption probe involving a councilmember could undermine public trust.

• The backlash over the Hayward city manager’s plan to end its remote work policy has reignited a debate over workplace equity and recruitment challenges tied to in-person mandates.

• A Fremont councilmember and former mayor traveled to strengthen the city’s ties to Taiwan.

• About six months after losing his race for county supervisor, John Bauters has returned to East Bay politics, but his new role will likely upset progressives.

• East Bay delegation is in Washington, D.C. this week to talk transportation.

• Unincorporated Alameda County eyes “social host ordinance” to curb illegal fireworks, but gaps remain

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