Oakland, CA – A recent tweet has brought renewed attention to allegations of online misconduct against Brandon Harami, a political activist and former aide to Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao. The tweet, posted by an account identified as "East Oakland Dad," questioned the implications of a "visible government employee" deleting an account with "over 30,000 tweets" after their "personal cell number is linked to the burner account @bay_inspector." The post further stated, > "Its sad that @BrandonHarami built a reputation through burner accounts and trolling."
While the specific claim regarding a government employee's account deletion linked to @bay_inspector and a personal cell number remains unsubstantiated by public reports, allegations of Harami's use of anonymous social media accounts have surfaced in legal proceedings. Harami, who served as Mayor Thao’s community resilience director, recently sought a restraining order against activist Seneca Scott. During these proceedings, Scott accused Harami of online harassment through "burner accounts."
Brandon Harami was placed on administrative leave from his position at Oakland City Hall in April 2025, amidst broader staff changes under interim Mayor Kevin Jenkins. Harami has been a prominent figure in Oakland's political landscape, known for his activism. The accusations of using burner accounts for trolling align with the broader public discourse surrounding anonymity and accountability on social media platforms.
Burner accounts, designed to conceal a user's true identity, are often employed for various reasons, including expressing controversial opinions or engaging in online disputes without direct personal attribution. This incident highlights ongoing concerns about the use of such accounts by public figures and their potential impact on political discourse and personal reputations. The legal dispute involving Harami and Scott underscores the challenges of navigating online interactions, particularly when allegations of harassment and the use of anonymous profiles emerge.