former oakland, california, The city's mayor, Chiang Thao, who was recalled by voters in November, was indicted by a federal grand jury on corruption charges.
In addition to Thao, the Justice Department charged her boyfriend, Andre Jones; President of the local waste company, David Truong Dung; and Dong's son Andy Hong Dong.
In October 2022, Thao allegedly agreed to expand the city Recycling services Contract with California Waste Solutions, buy housing units from the Duongs and use their influence to help them.
Former Auckland Mayor Chieng Thao poses with her lawyer after he was indicted on corruption charges. (Shoulders)
“Examples of the promises Thao allegedly made include her agreement to purchase residential units from a company owned by the Dung family, and her agreement to secure the extension of a recycling services contract that the City of Oakland entered into with one of David and Andy Dung’s companies,” U.S. Attorney Patrick Robbins said. “On using influence to help appoint a high-ranking city official to benefit the Dong family's business interests.”
The Duongs made payments to Thao and Jones, including funding a $75,000 negative mailing campaign targeting their political rivals. Fox San Francisco I mentioned. The Duongs also made $300,000 in payments to Thao and Jones disguised as wages for Jones' no-show job, federal prosecutors said.
The payments were made to make it appear as if Jones had a legitimate job with the Duongs' housing company to cover up the bribery, according to court documents.
Californians reportedly prepare to flee the country awaiting election results: 'I'm so scared'
Andre Jones, also charged in the indictment (Shoulders)
After her election, Thao fulfilled her promise to use her influence to appoint an Auckland city official, chosen by the Dung family, to protect the family's business investments, authorities said.
“The indictment itself is full of allegations, but it is not full of evidence,” Thao's lawyer said on Friday.
The charges came months after The FBI raided A house associated with Thao.
Former Auckland Mayor Cheng Thao, who was recalled from office last year, faces corruption charges. (Jessica Christian/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)
In a statement to Fox San Francisco, Winston Chan, Andy Dong's lawyer, said that the allegations against his client have no basis.
“We have remained silent despite the media frenzy of the past months in the hope that the government will properly conclude through an objective investigation that these allegations are baseless and fueled only by gossip and assumptions that have been tied together by fabrications and delusions,” Chan said. who lack all basic credibility.”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“But it is disappointing that today Andy is the latest in a long line of Asian Americans who have been unfairly singled out and forced to pay a price for daring to be active in the political sphere,” he added. “We look forward to vindicating his good name before the court and a jury of his peers.”
