Web Widens
As scrutiny of Shawn Wilson intensifies, his decades-long web of political consulting, public employment and private clients could pull more East Bay officials into the spotlight
☕️MORNING BUZZ
Vol. VI, No. 1,308
—The twin scandals surrounding Shawn Wilson, chief of staff to Alameda County Supervisor David Haubert, are shaping up to be among the Board of Supervisors’ most significant controversies in recent years.
Beyond allegations of bribery and public corruption, the investigations could have far-reaching political consequences because of Wilson’s extensive ties throughout Alameda County politics.
Over the years, Wilson has played roles in numerous political campaigns, ballot measures and policy efforts, particularly in the Tri-Valley, its wine industry and agricultural community. His broad network of relationships has placed him at the center of a wide range of political and governmental activities.
Wilson has also openly acknowledged maintaining multiple consulting and political roles outside his county position. Those overlapping responsibilities have raised recurring questions about conflicts of interest between his public duties and private clients.
Such concerns have followed Wilson for much of the past two decades, yet county leaders have largely avoided publicly addressing the arrangement.
—One glaring example is the county’s move last fall to vacate 1,000 feet of county land to a property owner who Wilson counts as a client. The issue has ripped a hole in relations between the county and Fremont.
As scrutiny intensifies, elected officials and political organizations with ties to Wilson are likely to face increased attention.
Wilson has served for more than a decade as political consultant to Hayward Mayor Mark Salinas, for example, and questions have also been raised about the extent of his involvement in Melissa Hernandez’s congressional campaign. Alameda County District Attorney Ursula Jones Dickson recently appeared on Wilson’s podcast.
There is a possibility that Oakland’s public corruption scandal could—in a very circuitous and intriguing manner—pull into its gravity some individuals in the Tri-Valley, even though they have no direct connection to the Duongs, Sheng Thao or the container homes at the center of the criminal investigation.
* Bribes not accepted.
—GET THE 411 ON THE 510—
Become an East Bay Insiders subscriber today and get FULL ACCESS to the inside scoop every weekday morning at 6 a.m.
IT’S WHAT THE INSIDERS READ.
🎙️EAST BAY INSIDERS PODCAST
—EPISODE 136—For the first time, East Bay Insiders founder Steve Tavares tells the behind-the-scenes story of how he was unexpectedly pulled into what would become the East Bay’s sprawling public corruption scandal.
—Steve reveals the alleged efforts to influence his reporting surrounding the infamous 2023 Vietnam trip, including escalating offers of money that he says were intended to discourage negative coverage.
—He walks listeners through what happened, how he responded, and how the story ultimately became part of the FBI’s ongoing public corruption investigation.
—The episode also explores newly surfaced allegations of bribery by an unincorporated Livermore resident involving a senior aide to Alameda County Supervisor David Haubert—a figure who also appears in the broader FBI story above.
—Finally, we lightens the mood by casting the movie version of one of the East Bay’s wildest political dramas, and who steals every scene?
—Listen on Substack or download episodes at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
COUNTY NEWS
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
—REPARATIONS RECKONING—The Alameda County Reparations Commission will present its long-awaited final report to the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, marking a significant milestone in the county’s effort to address past and ongoing harms experienced by its Black community.
—The 192-page report includes recommendations spanning housing, economic opportunity, criminal justice reform, cultural preservation, and the creation of a county Office of Reparations.
—Notably, the report does not outline a plan for direct financial restitution to those harmed by the county and provides few estimates of the costs associated with its recommendations.
More on ALCO Reparations Commission
—The Board of Supervisors established the commission in March 2023, and it began meeting in November 2023. At the time, Supervisor Nate Miley anticipated the panel would complete its work within 12 to 18 months.
—Instead, the process stretched to 32 months. Commissioners frequently cited the need for additional funding to support public outreach and other aspects of the effort.
—According to the report, the commission spent $441,753 during the current fiscal year. Most of the funding went to professional and consulting services, the commission reported.
—Among its final recommendations is dissolving the Reparations Commission and replacing it with a permanent standing committee.
—That proposal could face resistance, however, as the Board of Supervisors has recently shown reluctance to expand its already sizable roster of boards and commissions.
ELECTION 2026
🗓️49 days to CA14 Special Election
14TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
—BALLOT LABEL RESET—After two lopsided defeats earlier this month, CA14 congressional candidate Melissa Hernandez is changing her ballot designation ahead of the Aug. 18 special election against fellow Democrat Aisha Wahab.
—Hernandez used “healthcare director” as her ballot designation in both the June 2 regular primary and the June 16 special primary to succeed former Rep. Eric Swalwell.
—She trailed Wahab by 21 percentage points in the regular primary and 26 points in the special primary but advanced to the top two in both contests.
—For the Aug. 18 special election, Hernandez filed last week to change her ballot designation to “healthcare advocate/mom.” Wahab will continue using “state senator.”
—Hernandez’s use of healthcare-related ballot designations has drawn scrutiny because her publicly known healthcare experience appears limited.
—The most relevant position on her resume is previous part-time work as an office manager at a dental office, while a broader connection to the healthcare field has not been clearly established.
🗓️126 days to November General Election
FREMONT
—DISTRICT FOUR DUEL—A longtime South County political prospect is eyeing a campaign for the Fremont City Council.
—Aziz Akbari, a member of the Alameda County Water District Board of Directors, formed a campaign committee earlier this month to run for the open District 4 seat being vacated by term-limited Councilmember Yang Shao.
—In 2012, Akbari ran for Fremont mayor as an 18-year-old college student and gained a seat on the county water district board four years later.
—Also entering the race is Manisha Pathak, a Fremont Human Relations commissioner who recently formed a campaign committee for the District 4 seat, which represents south-central Fremont
