NewsKQED NewsOctober 27, 2026San Francisco County
Thao Trial: Defense Attorneys Poke Holes in FBI’s Oakland Corruption Investigation
Photo: KQED News
Defense attorneys in the federal corruption trial of former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao challenged FBI testimony regarding campaign mailers, consulting payments, and financial records. Special FBI Agent Katherine Barclay completed nearly 20 hours of testimony on Tuesday after admitting thousands of pages of evidence.
Read the full story at KQED NewsWhy It Matters
The federal trial examines allegations of bribery, conspiracy, and fraud involving former local officials and recycling executives, carrying legal stakes for the defendants and implications for city governance.
Key Facts
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Who's Mentioned
PersonKatherine Higgons“Testified about participating in a search of Andy Duong's house”PersonLoren Taylor“Targeted by negative campaign mailers”PersonSheng Thao“Defendant facing bribery, conspiracy, and fraud charges”PersonErik Babcock“Representing Andy Duong”PersonMark Goldrosen“Representing Andre Jones”PersonKatherine Barclay“Testified for nearly 20 hours in the federal corruption trial”PersonKevin Jenkins“Government witness identified in recorded phone calls”locationSan Leandro“City where elected officials were mentioned in interviews”PersonAndy Duong“Defendant and son of David Duong”PersonMichael Duong“Suggested chief financial officer of Evolutionary Homes”OrganizationKearns and West“Firm where investigative evidence showed Jones worked”PersonCecilia Mendez“Former romantic partner of Mario Juarez and Evolutionary Homes representative”PersonMario Juarez“Involved with campaign mailers and Evolutionary Homes”locationBerkeley“City where elected officials were mentioned in interviews”otherOakland“City involved in recycling contract disputes and mayoral administration”PersonMolly Priedeman“Attorney for the prosecution”OrganizationEvolutionary Homes“Founded by Andy Duong and Mario Juarez”OrganizationCalifornia Waste Solutions“Company owned by the Duongs involved in legal and contract disputes with Oakland”OrganizationCalifornia Fair Political Practices Commission“Recipient of expense filings from Mario Juarez”PersonIgnacio De La Fuente“Targeted by negative campaign mailers”PersonDavid Duong“Defendant and executive at California Waste Solutions”PersonJanani Ramachandran“Mentioned in recorded call regarding political support”OrganizationPG&E“Utility provider requesting payment for turned-off power”PersonAndre Jones“Defendant facing charges related to alleged quid pro quo”PersonNikki Fortunato Bas“Expected to testify later in the trial”OrganizationCiudad Holdings“Owned by Mario Juarez”PersonCecily Frost“Mentioned on contact page”PersonTreva Reid“Mentioned in recorded call regarding political support”