An ethics tip is at the center of testimony Thursday as the federal corruption trial of former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao continues in Oakland.
Thao, her longtime partner Andre Jones and businessmen David and Andy Duong are accused of conspiracy, bribery and wire fraud.
An FBI agent was back on the stand Thursday, with some of the evidence presented directly connecting Thao and her three co-defendants to political mailers that sparked the federal investigation.
Thao arrived at the federal courthouse in Oakland after a two-day court recess. Jones and the Duongs were also in court Thursday morning.
The FBI agent continued to detail how Thao, Jones and the Duongs came to be under federal investigation.
The FBI raided Thao’s Oakland home in June 2024, along with three properties tied to the Duong family.
The FBI agent testified that evidence from phones, iPads, USB drives, hard drives, computers, phone records and disappearing messages showed that Thao allegedly knew about political mailers that led to an ethics tip to the FBI.
The agent previously testified that the deal for the mailers indicated a larger bribery scheme and a list of favors allegedly owed to the Duongs in exchange for their help getting Thao elected.
Thao, Jones and the Duongs face charges of conspiracy, bribery and wire fraud.
All four have pleaded not guilty.
