Attorney for Oakland mayor says she is fully cooperating with federal investigators following a raid on her home and 3 other places
Attorney for Oakland mayor Sheng Thao says she was surprised by the federal raids on her home and other locations. But a former staffer with the mayor says Thao knew she was under investigation long before the raids law enforcement carried out on Thursday.
Thao has not been charged with a crime and her attorney, Anthony Brass said she is cooperating with federal investigators. Since the federal raids, Thao has not been seen publicly.
On Friday evening, Brass said the mayor has offered to speak with federal investigators next week.
“I wasn’t surprised at all. I was more like-finally, the truth is going to come out ,” Webb said she was saddened to see the raid at the mayor’s home. Webb said the mayor was aware that she was being investigated long before the raids.
Webb said the raid on the homes and offices associated with the Duong family, owners of Cal Waste, a recycling company, also did not come as a surprise. Webb said the Duongs donated a large amount of money to Thao’s political campaigns, describing it as a “pay to play” scenario.
Cal Waste responded to the federal raids in a written statement which said in part:
“The company is confident that the government will conclude that it was not involved in any unlawful or improper activity.”
“She’s continuing to do the work of being the mayor of Oakland, and she’s going to be the citizen that everyone expects her to be, which is someone who is forthright and answer the quesitons they have,” said Brass.
