The corruption trial of former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao is getting underway in federal court, with opening statements scheduled for today. The trial comes more than two years after the FBI raided Thao’s home as part of its investigation. Federal prosecutors allege Thao participated in a bribery scheme involving the owners of a company that provides recycling services to the city of Oakland. According to prosecutors, Thao promised favorable treatment for the family’s businesses in exchange for payments to her longtime partner and political support during her 2022 mayoral campaign. The allegations center on whether the former mayor used her public office to benefit the family’s business interests. Thao has denied the charges and pleaded not guilty. The trial is expected to examine the alleged arrangement, the evidence gathered by investigators and the relationships between the former mayor and the recycling company’s owners. Thao faces the charges as the case moves into court.
