Former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao Bribery Trial: Witness Details Payoffs and Assault

Mario Juarez continued his testimony Thursday in the federal bribery trial of former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao and three co-defendants. He described alleged agreements to fund Andre Jones’s campaign and secure city contracts worth up to $3 million for Evolutionary Homes.

Juarez, a businessman and former Evolutionary Homes partner, said Thao, Jones, David Duong, and Andy Duong arranged payments in exchange for future influence. The four defendants were indicted in January 2025 on eight combined counts, including conspiracy, bribery, fraud, and making false statements to a government official.

“I have a long memory and am pretty vengeful.”

All four have pleaded not guilty. Thao, 41, faces up to 95 years in prison if convicted on all charges.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Abraham Fine questioned Juarez about secretly recorded board meetings. The jury heard five-minute clips of exchanges between Juarez and David Duong, including a dispute over Thao’s reluctance to sign the first contract.

Juarez also recounted a May 3, 2024 assault outside 1211 Embarcadero, where California Waste Solutions and Evolutionary Homes shared offices. He said David Duong changed the locks, then Andy Duong and about ten associates attacked him in the parking lot and tried to steal his gold chain.

Juarez said he decided to inform law enforcement about the alleged bribery conspiracy after the assault. He told the jury he has a long memory and is vengeful because Thao and Jones did not keep their end of the bargain.