FBI raids several California homes, including Oakland mayor’s

OAKLAND, California — Federal authorities raided a home of Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao on Thursday morning as part of an investigation in California that included a search of at least two other homes, officials said.

FBI agents carried boxes from 80 Maiden Lane, a four-bedroom house whose ownership records are linked to first-term mayor, the San Francisco Chronicle reported. Thao’s spokesman Francis Zamora referred questions to the FBI.

“The FBI conducted court-approved law enforcement activities this morning on Maiden Lane in Oakland. We cannot provide additional information at this time,” a statement from the agency said.

Agents also conducted searches about three miles south at two homes owned by members of the politically influential Duong family that owns the recycling company Cal Waste Solutions, the Chronicle said. The company is gone investigated on campaign contributions to Thao and other elected city officials, the local news outlet Oaklandside reported in 2020.

One of the properties is owned by Andy Duong and the other is connected to David and Linda Duong, according to records cited by the Chronicle.

Phone messages and emails seeking comment from Cal Waste Solutions officials on the raid were not immediately returned. Personal telephone numbers of members of the Duong family could not be found.

Thao, 38, is confronted a recall election less than two years into her term as mayor. The city clerk’s office notified leaders behind the recall last week that they had collected enough verified signatures to qualify for the November ballot.

Increased crime and budget issues have challenged Thao since she took office in January 2023 after a stint on the Oakland City Council.