Oakland, CA – Former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao faces a potential 95-year federal prison sentence following her January 2025 indictment on corruption and bribery charges, a development that follows her successful recall from office in November 2024. The recall effort garnered approximately 65% of the vote, marking a significant shift in Oakland's political landscape.
The federal indictment, unsealed in January 2025, charges Thao, her romantic partner Andre Jones, and businessmen David and Andy Duong with conspiracy, bribery, mail fraud, and wire fraud. Prosecutors allege a scheme where Thao agreed to facilitate city contracts and housing purchases benefiting the Duongs' companies in exchange for campaign support and payments, including a $75,000 mailer and $300,000 for a "no-show" job for Jones. Thao has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The legal challenges for Thao unfolded amidst growing public dissatisfaction, culminating in the November 5, 2024, recall election. Voters decisively chose to remove Thao from office, with final results indicating that 65.2% to 65.3% supported her recall. This made Thao the first Oakland mayor in history to be successfully recalled.
In related political fallout, Brandon Harami, a former staffer for Mayor Thao, was terminated from his position as Director of Community Resilience by Interim Mayor Kevin Jenkins on April 7, 2025. Harami's dismissal was part of a broader shake-up within City Hall following Thao's recall.
Adding to Harami's recent difficulties, an Alameda County Superior Court judge on July 31, 2025, denied his request for a restraining order against political activist Seneca Scott. Harami had accused Scott of online harassment, but the court found no credible threats of violence. The series of events underscores a period of significant political upheaval and legal scrutiny for Oakland's former leadership and their associates.