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By Randall Yip, Executive Editor
The FBI raided the homes of Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao today along with at least one other belonging to Andy Duong whose family owns California Waste Solutions.
The early morning raid of the Mayor’s house occurred at around 6 a.m., awakening a retired San Diego police officer who was visiting family.
“To hear something of that nature going on right next to me is incredibly alarming,” Llanina (Nina) Rosalia Medina, Western Regional Vice president of the National Latino Police Officers Association, said to AsAmNews. “I heard a male voice demanding entry. “’Open the door, open the door,”’ she said the agent screamed.
She would later discover that FBI agents wearing gloves were going in and out of the home and would later leave with boxes of evidence.
Just a couple of miles away, agents also raided the home of Andy Duong, the son of David Duong who owns California Waste Solutions. A neighbor who asked not to be named said Andy Duong has held numerous political fundraisers at his home.
“I heard a loud boom,” said another neighbor to AsAmNews. Boom, boom, boom. They blocked the cul-de-sac. No one could get in.”
The activity stunned the normally quiet neighborhood. AsAmNews also talked to another resident who also declined to give his name.
He described Duong as “a nice fellow. He’s outgoing.” The two have exchanged gifts as did another neighbor we spoke with.
The Mayor’s office declined to comment and asked us to speak with the FBI. A spokesperson for the FBI said “I am unable to comment on the matter.”
ABC7 News reported that the FBI also raided the offices of California Waste Solutions and the home of David and Linda Duong. Sources tell ABC7 the raid involves the IRS and the US Postal Service.
AsAmNews could not confirm that information, but have reached out to the IRS and U.S. Postal Service for additional information.
The raid on Thao’s home caps off a horrible week for her. Earlier this week, the Registrar of Voters confirmed enough signatures had been collected to place a recall of Thao on the ballot. Recall proponents point to her handling of the city budget, the firing of Oakland Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong and crime in the city which has actually been declining.
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