Oakland’s so-called “progressive” leadership has once again been exposed for what it really is: a corrupt machine designed to serve political elites rather than the struggling citizens they claim to represent. Former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, a Democrat who championed diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies while crime and homelessness skyrocketed, has now been indicted on multiple corruption charges, alongside her longtime romantic partner Andre Jones and two politically connected businessmen, David Trung Duong and Andy Hung Duong.
The bombshell eight-count indictment, filed on January 9, alleges a pay-to-play bribery scheme dating back to Thao’s controversial 2022 mayoral election victory. Prosecutors claim that after securing the mayor’s office, Thao cut backroom deals to benefit David Duong, the president and CEO of a recycling company with lucrative contracts in Oakland, and his son, Andy Duong. In return, the Duongs allegedly provided Thao with various undisclosed financial benefits—a stunning betrayal of Oakland’s taxpayers.
Another Democrat Brought Down by Corruption
Conservative commentator Real Robert summed up the scandal on X, writing:
> “🚨🚨Just In, Another Democrat, Former Oakland DEI Mayor Sheng Thao has been criminally indicted by a grand jury on corruption charges. In 2024, Madam DEI became the first Mayor in Oakland’s history to be recalled, following a surge in crime, murder, and homelessness.”
Indeed, Thao’s administration was a disaster from day one. Oakland saw a massive rise in violent crime, rampant homelessness, and businesses fleeing the city due to her soft-on-crime policies. As one of the most radical leftist mayors in America, she spent more time pushing progressive talking points than actually solving the city’s problems.
In fact, she became the first mayor in Oakland history to be recalled in 2024 after overwhelming public backlash to her failed leadership. Now, this criminal indictment suggests she wasn’t just incompetent—she was corrupt, too.
Former Aide Speaks Out: “They Were Conspiring to Be Crooks”
Former Thao staffer Renia Webb, who once believed in Thao’s promises of “transformational leadership,” has since come forward to expose the shocking reality behind the scenes.
“When the FBI approached me and what I found out was just heartbreaking,” Webb revealed. “It’s just sickening that we were running a campaign telling people one thing, making promises to take care of our city, and all the while you and Andre were in the background conspiring to be crooks.”
Webb claims she was offered a six-figure salary to play along with the corruption but refused. “She told me, ‘Oh, you’re going to be making close to $200,000. Let’s set up our families for life,’ and I was like, ‘No thank you,’” Webb recalled.
After resigning from Thao’s team in 2022, Webb says she was harassed and targeted—a common tactic of Democrat machine politics when insiders dare to expose corruption.
Federal Prosecutors: “This Breaches the Public Trust”
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California has made it clear that this case is about public officials selling out their constituents for personal gain.
> “The public deserves honesty and transparency from City Hall,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick D. Robbins. “When elected officials agree to a pay-to-play system to benefit themselves rather than work for the best interests of their constituents, that breaches the public trust.”
Oakland residents deserve answers. How deep does the corruption go? Who else was involved? And why did it take federal prosecutors to step in while local officials turned a blind eye?
This indictment serves as a wake-up call for voters who are tired of corrupt, radical leftist politicians who prioritize personal gain over public service. With Thao now facing serious legal consequences, the people of Oakland may finally get the accountability they have long been denied.
