FBI Agent Returns to Stand in Sheng Thao Trial Week Three

The federal corruption trial of former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, her longtime partner Andre Jones, and California Waste Solutions owners David Duong and Andy Duong enters its third week Monday in U.S. District Court in Oakland with FBI Special Agent Katherine Barclay returning to the witness stand, NBC Bay Area and KALW reported.

Defense attorneys began cross-examining Barclay late Friday afternoon and are scheduled to continue questioning her Monday morning after federal prosecutors spent three days walking jurors through text messages, financial records, and recorded phone calls.

Financial Records and Recorded 2023 Phone Call

During last week's testimony, prosecutors presented bank statements and text messages detailing Thao and Jones' financial strain, including difficulty paying rent and an instance in which Thao sought $6,000 to get the electricity turned back on at their home.

Jurors also heard a secret recording made by an FBI informant in 2023 capturing a phone call between Thao and Andy Duong in which the two discussed Oakland City Councilmembers Janani Ramachandran and Treva Reid, who had criticized Thao's trade mission to Vietnam. In the recording, Thao said she was unfazed by the criticism and expressed confidence that she and Duong would achieve their goals.

Federal prosecutors allege that David and Andy Duong funneled bribes to Thao and Jones in exchange for lucrative city business contracts. All four defendants have pleaded not guilty and denied any wrongdoing, with defense attorneys questioning the reliability of the government's key informant.