FBI raids Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao's home, 3 other locations: source | Hacker News Reader

FBI raids Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao's home, 3 other locations: source

abc7news.com

49 pointsradlad19 comments

Seems to be connected to this political money laundering case [0], as the raids hit all the suspects listed.

Edit: The Duong family is also connected with the Long An Green Tech Park project outside Saigon [1][2] which had been moribund for almost a decade, and most likely was unlocked due to some backdoor dealings.

[0] - https://oaklandside.org/2020/09/15/accusations-of-political-...

[1] - https://baolongan.vn/de-xuat-thi-diem-khu-cong-nghiep-xanh-t...

[2] - https://theinvestor.vn/us-invested-firm-prepares-700-mln-for...

Good catch. And not a new issue then with that article from 2020.

We can't say much until there's more news... there are only rumors about the nature of the investigation. Not enough for a discussion.

Definitely but given the other homes raided we can connect some of the blanks. Add in that Oakland is filled with organized crime with payoffs going towards OPD and beyond, it makes sense.

And yet those paying off the supreme court walk free.

    Home of Mayor Sheng Thao on Maiden Lane in the Oakland Hills
    California Waste Solutions at the Embarcadero
    Home of California Waste Solutions' Andy Duong on View Crest Court
    Home of California Waste Solutions' David and Linda Duong on Skyline Blvd

Andy Duong is the son of David Duong, the President and CEO of California Waste Solutions, whose house was also raided.

California Waste Solutions is Oakland's garbage vendor.

There seems to be a pattern of Bay Area garbage collection companies involved in corruption cases. https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/2nd-recology-execu...

>There seems to be a pattern of garbage collection companies involved in corruption cases

FTFY.

Garbage business is the mafia's oldest racket in the US.

>The details of the FBI's investigation remain unknown, but sources say the case involves the IRS and the US Postal Service.

The two organizations on earth that you absolutely do not mess around with.

Sheng's about to find out why.

These often tag along in the US as add-on, enhancing or easier to prove items on investigations that have little to do with them. Money was involved but not reported to the IRS: IRS. Anything at all went through the mail: USPS. It says nothing about the core issues being investigated.

Sure, but my whole point is that corruption charges are incredibly hard to bring outside the context of utilizing (or cheating) those two services. Smart criminals pay their taxes.

Fair. Are there examples documented out there where the smart criminals did pay their taxes and we got details on how exactly they described and categorized these payments? "Misc income (bribes) $123,456" might not be the best solution.

>"Misc income (bribes) $123,456" might not be the best solution.

You joke, but funny enough that is indeed the official stance from the IRS: https://www.irs.gov/publications/p525#en_US_2023_publink1000...

  "Illegal activities. Income from illegal activities, such as 
  money from dealing illegal drugs, must be included in your 
  income on Schedule 1 (Form 1040), line 8z, or on Schedule C 
  (Form 1040) if from your self-employment activity."

Heh. Yes I had noticed this. The problem with "Misc income (bribes)" would be mentioning "bribes" outright. Which then might have a propensity to reach the wrong persons. Confidentially of course. I expect it's more popular to find other, more politically favorable euphemistic ways to still declare and pay taxes even if the description is only marginally or technically correct.

Or to disguise the illegal activity as a "separate business". I insufficiently remember cases in Europe where "Consulting services" were provided. Consulting services would be an easy one. I'd say too easy by now, for a politician.

> Smart criminals pay their taxes.

Do they? I wouldn't be so sure of the privacy firewall between the IRS and the rest of government, even if IRS is a very special org.

>Do they? I wouldn't be so sure of the privacy firewall between the IRS and the rest of government

Not with a line item on their 1040, but through indirect means. It's essentially the entire point of RICO: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racketeer_Influenced_and_Cor...

She wasn’t the target. She will cut a deal for cooperation or for testimony against…

Oakland is a dumpster fire. Not surprised if the Mayor turns out to be involved in money laundering schemes. Hopefully the FBI's investigation will proceed faster than the recall vote.

Is it just me or has the FBI has been on a roll lately. [1] [2]

[1] https://www.inquirer.com/news/new-jersey/george-norcross-ind...

[2] https://www.cbsnews.com/news/bob-menendez-trial-gold-bars-ca...

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