Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao: US Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers Hints at Excluding Bribery Scheme Evidence

• Former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao and co-defendants appear in court to argue for exclusion of evidence in bribery scheme trial.
• Defendants claim phone calls, text messages, and videos would be highly prejudicial if admitted to the trial.
• Judge hints at granting one motion for exclusion but is not disposed to grant any others.
• Case centers on allegations of bribery scheme involving Duong family's business interests.
• Prosecution claims defendants took bribes in exchange for city contracts.

The motions by defense are too generic,

Former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao and her co-defendants, Andre Jones, David Duong, and Andy Duong, appeared in court to argue that certain evidence should be excluded from their upcoming bribery scheme trial. The defendants claim that the evidence, including phone calls, text messages, and videos, would be highly prejudicial if admitted to the trial. They are seeking to exclude a series of texts and a meeting about a donation to the Niagara Movement Foundation, which they argue shows a pattern of relationships between the defendants. However, Assistant U.S. Attorney Abraham Fine countered that these communications demonstrate a clear connection between the defendants and their alleged scheme to bribe Thao and Jones in exchange for city contracts. The judge, US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, hinted that she may grant one motion for exclusion but was not disposed to grant any others.

The case against Thao and her co-defendants centers on allegations of a bribery scheme involving the Duong family's business interests. The defendants are accused of taking bribes in exchange for city contracts, with Thao allegedly receiving up to $95,000 in cash payments. The prosecution claims that the Duongs paid Jones for a no-show job and $75,000 in political attack ads against Thao's mayoral opponents in the 2022 election. The defendants' homes and the California Waste Solutions building were raided by the FBI in June 2024, and an FBI informant will testify at trial about the defendants' alleged scheme.

The outcome of this case has significant implications for Thao's ability to defend herself against conspiracy charges. If certain evidence is excluded from the trial, it could impact her clients' ability to mount a strong defense. The judge's hints at excluding some evidence have raised concerns among lawyers defending the defendants that they may need to revisit their trial strategies. This case also highlights ongoing issues of corruption and bribery in Oakland politics.

Lawyers defending former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao and co-defendants in a bribery scheme may need to revisit their trial strategies after the judge hinted at excluding some evidence, potentially impacting their clients' ability to defend against conspiracy charges.

Source: Original reporting via Courthouse News Service