Federal agents carried out an early-morning raid Thursday at the home of Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao as part of a widespread sting that included two properties connected to a recycling company owned by a politically influential family.
Agents were heard “banging” on the mayor’s door around 6 a.m., neighbor Maribel Sainez told Politico. The raid woke up most of the quiet streets in Oakland’s Lincoln Highlands neighborhood.
Five hours after they first entered Thao’s home, several agents walked out carrying boxes and bags, local media outlets reported.
One FBI agent stepped outside Thao’s home with blue surgical gloves on, the San Francisco Chronicle reported. The agent refused to answer questions from the media, including the reason behind the raid and how many agents were inside the mayor’s home.
The FBI also carried out a search in the Oakland Hills area.
Two agents were seen sifting through luggage in the garage and then seen searching parked vehicles outside the home. Property records indicated the house belonged to Andy Duong. Duong’s family owns California Waste Solutions, a recycling company that was investigated in 2020 over campaign contributions to Thao and other elected officials.
A third search took place in a house connected to David and Linda Duong. David Duong is the president and CEO of California Waste Solutions.
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Local law enforcement officials as well as City Council members and Thao’s assistant have referred all questions to the FBI.
There is no word from the FBI on why the raids were carried out.
