Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao declared on Monday that she has “done nothing wrong” and vowed to be fully cooperative with the ongoing FBI investigation into her personal and professional activities. The announcement follows a dramatic raid on her Oakland Hills residence by federal authorities on Thursday.
While Thao has not been arrested or charged with a crime, her silence following the raid had sparked criticism and uncertainty among her political opponents. Some critics have called for her resignation, citing concerns about the city’s reputation and the alleged cloud of controversy surrounding her leadership.
As the investigation continues, Thao refuted claims that she is linked to the probe, stating that her home was raided as part of a larger investigation into other individuals and businesses. The mayor’s comments followed a weekend rally at Oakland City Hall, where protesters demanded her transparency and accountability.
The FBI’s surprise raid on Thao’s home coincided with simultaneous searches of other locations connected to the Duong family, whose company, California Waste Solutions, holds a lucrative contract with the city. The investigations remain shrouded in secrecy, with the FBI declining to comment on the motive behind the raids.
Thao has yet to take questions from the media following her statement, leaving many in the city wondering about the extent of the investigation and its potential impact on her mayoralty.
