FBI Special Agent Katherine Barclay has testified for three days about photographs, text messages, calls, videos and financial records. Prosecutors say the evidence supports their claim that Thao, her longtime partner Andre Jones, and businessmen David and Andy Duong took part in a bribery scheme.

Prosecutors allege the arrangement was intended to help Thao’s election campaign and direct money to Jones in exchange for favors for the Duong family, which owns California Waste Solutions, Oakland’s recycling contractor. The alleged favors involved city contracts or extensions. The defendants’ guilt has not been established in court.

Barclay testified about messages in which Thao and Jones discussed difficulty paying rent and a $6,000 payment to restore their electricity. Court also heard audio of a 2023 phone call between Thao and Andy Duong, who recorded it. Thao complained about council members Janani Ramachandran and Treva Reid criticizing her trade mission to Vietnam and told Duong he would have to choose a side.

Andy Duong’s attorney has argued that the recording does not show his client bribing Thao and that the Duongs never received the contracts or extensions prosecutors say were part of the alleged deal. Prosecutors have argued that pursuing a pay-for-access arrangement can constitute a crime even if it ultimately fails.

The trial is unfolding in federal court in Oakland, where jurors are weighing allegations involving city government and a major municipal contractor.