Return to sender

AG Bonta and others are donating or returning campaign contributions from the family raided by the FBI; Oakland tries again to approve fiscal year budget; Alameda eyes charter amendment, bond measure

California Attorney General Rob Bonta has long been tied to the Duong Family, owners of California Waste Solutions, the recycling company raided by the FBI last week.

SCANDAL IN THE EAST BAY

STATEWIDE/NEVADA

—RECYCLING THE MONEY—California Attorney General Rob Bonta’s campaign will return a whopping $155,100 in total campaign contributions received over the years from California Waste Solutions and members of the Duong Family, the recycling companies owners, Politico reports.

—Bonta’s campaign will donate the contributions to charity.

—The rise of Bonta from the Alameda City Council to the state assembly to the state’s top cop ran in tandem with California Waste Solutions own rise.

—Bonta is contemplating a run for governor in 2026.

—NEVADA AG FOLDS—Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford is also returning contributions from the Duong Family, the Nevada Independent reports.

—Ford received $16,000 in total contributions from David Duong, the CEO of California Waste Solutions, and Andy Duong.

—The connection between Ford and the Duongs is California Attorney General Rob Bonta. Bonta facilitated a fundraiser for Ford that included the Vietnamese American Business Association in 2022

Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford posing with Andy Duong of California Waste Solution in 2022 at an event hosted by the affiliated Vietnamese American Business Association.

FREMONT/SOUTH BAY

—Fremont Mayor Lily Mei accepted $9,800 in campaign contributions from the Duongs during her 2022 run for the 10th State Senate District.

—There’s no evidence of wrongdoing including Mei, but the money trail reveals how extensive the Duongs’ network has grown over the years.

—Mei’s proximity to San Jose, which California Waste Solutions contracts with for recycling services, was likely the reason for the contributions, which amounted to a pair of maxed-out $4,900 donations. The 10th District includes North San Jose.

—Rep. Ro Khanna, who represents Fremont and Silicon Valley have returned donations from the Duong Family in recent days, as have South Bay Assemblymember Evan Low and Rep. Adam Schiff.

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Program note: The East Bay Insiders Newsletter will go dark July 4-5 for the Fourth of July weekend, and will return on Monday, July 8.