On June 20, 2024, the Federal Bureau of Investigation launched a raid on the property of Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, as well as two other homes belonging to the politically significant Duong family. FBI agents were spotted carrying numerous boxes of evidence out of the properties. Here is the FBI’s statement on the situation:
“The FBI conducted court-authorized law enforcement activity on Maiden Lane in Oakland this morning. We are unable to provide additional information at this time.”
While this provides us with very little information about the reason for the raid, it is highly speculated that it could be related to recent political corruption and money laundering accusations levied against the Oakland mayor and her political allies.
This raid comes at a particularly bad time for Mayor Sheng Thao, as she will also be facing a recall election after petitioners were able to collect almost double the signatures required for such action. Thao doesn’t seem particularly popular; residents have stated that there has been a noticeable increase in crime and overall decrease in productivity in the area, particularly when it comes to local businesses. At a glance, the situation in Oakland reeks of political duplicity, and residents of Oakland deserve better than this.
Sources:
Press, A. (2024, June 20). FBI raids several California homes, including Oakland mayor’s. KLAS. https://www.8newsnow.com/news/national-news/ap-fbi-raids-homes-in-oakland-california-including-one-belonging-to-the-citys-mayor/
Howland, L., & Noyes, D. (2024, June 21). FBI raids Oakland mayor’s home, several other locations in political corruption probe: Source. ABC7 San Francisco. https://abc7news.com/post/fbi-raided-oakland-mayor-sheng-thaos-home-sources/14980538/
Eli Wolfe, D. B. (2024, June 19). Oakland mayor Sheng Thao will face recall election. The Oaklandside. https://oaklandside.org/2024/06/18/oakland-mayor-sheng-thao-recall-election/
NBC. (2024, January 6). Oakland group mails paperwork to start recall effort against mayor Sheng Thao. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/oakland-group-submits-paperwork-recall-effort-mayor-sheng-thao/3414860/
Jones, V., & Suratos, P. (2023, December 29). Search continues for Oakland’s next police chief. NBC Bay Area. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/search-continues-oakland-next-police-chief/3408224/
BondGraham, D. (2022, March 15). Accusations of political “money laundering” under investigation in Oakland. The Oaklandside. https://oaklandside.org/2020/09/15/accusations-of-political-money-laundering-under-investigation-in-oakland/
ความคิดเห็น