Former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao criminally indicted

OAKLAND, Calif. (CN) — Former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao has reportedly been indicted by a federal grand jury — though it's still unclear what criminal charges she faces.

Officials from the FBI, Internal Revenue Service and U.S. Attorney’s Office said they plan to announce the results of a “significant law enforcement action” at a Friday press conference in San Francisco. News of the indictment was first reported by the San Francisco Chronicle, which broke the story Thursday.

Courthouse News has not yet independently verified news of Thao’s indictment. A spokesperson from the United States Department of Justice declined to comment when asked about it.

The FBI’s San Francisco office likewise did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In reporting on the indictment, the Chronicle cited confidential sources familiar with the matter.

Last June, the former mayor’s house — along with several other residences in the Oakland Hills — was raided by the FBI as part of an unspecified investigation. That came just months before voters in November recalled Thao from her position.

In a statement at the time, the FBI's San Francisco office said it was conducting court-authorized law enforcement activity. Also targeted was the home of Andy Duong, a member of the family that owns Cal Waste Solutions. The recycling firm was previously investigated over claims it used straw donors to make campaign contributions to Thao and other elected city officials.

After the raid, Thao’s attorney Anthony Brass told CBS News that he was withdrawing from representing her during the investigation.

In a press conference at the time, Thao denied any wrongdoing. She insisted she was cooperating with the FBI investigation.

“I plan to be 100% transparent and cooperate with the investigation,” the then-mayor said. “I have done nothing wrong.”

In other statements, Thao also claimed she was not in fact the target of an investigation. She maintained those claims leading up to Election Day.

Thao was first elected as Oakland's mayor in a close race in 2022, winning by only around 680 votes. During her campaign, she pledged to focus on crime, homelessness and affordable housing, winning over voters with her casual speaking style and knack for brokering deals behind the scenes.

But trouble set in early during her term as mayor and followed her through her two-year tenure in the Oakland's highest office. Thao's critics said she didn't enforce city policies on homeless encampments, stood by while Oakland businesses shuttered due to increased crime and left Oakland’s police department without a chief for over a year.

Details on the current case are still sparse — but officials say a news release with more information will be distributed at Friday's press conference.