Politics
Defense Attacks Star Witness's Credibility in Former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao's Corruption Trial
Defense attorneys grilled star witness Mario Juarez on Monday, accusing him of padding expense reimbursements, falsifying campaign documents, and harboring a vendetta against the Duong family as the federal corruption trial of former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao continued.
OAKLAND â Defense attorneys launched a broad attack on the credibility of the prosecution's star witness Monday in the federal corruption trial of former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, accusing Mario Juarez of padding expense reimbursements, falsifying campaign finance documents, and harboring a personal grudge against the family at the center of the case.
Juarez, who has agreed to plead guilty to a conspiracy charge and testify for the government in hopes of a lighter sentence, spent the day being cross-examined about his business dealings and his motives. He gave a thumbs-up to reporters after leaving the stand.
Defense attorneys accused Juarez of inflating expense reimbursements from Thao's co-defendants, David and Andy Duong, and of stealing from former business associates. David Duong's attorney also pressed Juarez on whether he wanted to damage the family's recycling company, California Waste Solutions. Juarez denied the suggestion.
The defense then presented a text message Juarez sent to a business associate just two days before he met with the FBI in 2024, in which he wrote that he needed to "expletive" the Duongs.
Attorneys also challenged Juarez's account that the defendants launched a scheme to get Thao elected because she was losing ground in the 2022 mayoral race. The defense cited a poll from that period showing Thao tied with opponent Loren Taylor.
In addition, the defense accused Juarez of designing negative campaign mailers and falsifying a state expenditure report. Juarez admitted to falsifying the documents and to paying the printer only part of a $31,000 bill.
Prosecutors allege that Juarez, the Duongs, Thao, and her partner, Andre Jones, conspired to trade campaign support for political favors and city business. The defense maintains there was no scheme and that Juarez acted alone.
Juarez insists he helped coordinate and carry out the alleged bribery plan.
The judge repeatedly warned defense attorneys to stop drawing out their questioning and arguing with Juarez, cautioning that if they did not pick up the pace, she would do it for them.
The trial, which has drawn intense attention in Oakland, hinges in large part on whether jurors believe Juarez â a witness whose admitted misconduct and apparent animosity toward the Duongs could undermine the government's case. Thao, once a rising political figure in the East Bay, faces allegations that could reshape how the city's residents view its leadership and its ties to powerful business interests.