Juarez, who has agreed to plead guilty to a conspiracy charge in exchange for a lighter sentence, spent hours Friday under intense questioning from defense attorneys seeking to dismantle his credibility. The defense has focused on his plea agreement and what they characterized as a history of theft and dishonest business dealings. Juarez pushed back on some of the allegations but made a stunning admission during his testimony: "I bribed Mayor Sheng Thao. We all committed bribery."

Federal prosecutors allege that David and Andy Duong, who own California Waste Solutions, conspired with Juarez to funnel cash and political favors to Thao and Jones in exchange for city business and support for Thao's mayoral run. The trial has drawn significant attention in Oakland, where residents are grappling with questions about integrity in local government and the influence of money in politics.

The defense's strategy of attacking Juarez's character is a common tactic in cases that rely heavily on cooperating witnesses. By highlighting his past misdeeds and the benefits he stands to gain from testifying, attorneys for the Duongs and Thao hope to convince jurors that Juarez's word cannot be trusted. The prosecution, meanwhile, is expected to argue that Juarez's testimony is corroborated by other evidence and that his admissions, including the bribery statement, are consistent with the broader scheme.

As the trial continues, the community watches closely. The outcome could have lasting implications for how Oakland conducts its business and for public trust in local institutions. Testimony is set to resume Monday morning.