In a defiant press conference Monday, Oakland’s Democratic Mayor Sheng Thao addressed the recent FBI raid of her personal residence, denying any wrongdoing and refusing calls for her resignation.
The mayor’s statement came four days after federal agents searched her home as part of a broader corruption investigation that also targeted properties owned by another prominent local family.
Thao, 38, read from a prepared statement where she claimed the timing of the FBI raid was suspicious. She refused to take any questions after reading the statement.
She noted the corruption investigation coincided with the city clerk’s confirmation that a recall effort against her had gathered enough signatures to appear on the November ballot. The recall campaign cites rising crime and business downturn in Oakland under Thao’s far-Left leadership as reasons for her removal, along with criticism of her decision to fire Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong.
“When my parents came to this country fleeing genocide, they never could have imagined that their daughter would one day be mayor of Oakland. I am my ancestors’ wildest dream,” Thao’s statement read. “And I am your mayor: Mayor Sheng Thao.”
The FBI investigation also encompassed raids on two properties owned by the Duong family, who run a local business, Cal Waste Solutions. The recycling company has previously been scrutinized for its campaign contributions to Thao and other Oakland officials, as reported by local news outlet Oaklandside in 2020.
Critics, including Cynthia Adams, president of the Oakland NAACP chapter, have called for “active, engaged and competent leadership” and demanded Thao resign.
“It is telling that no other city officials have defended the mayor, nor do any of them even seem to be in contact with her,” Adams said.