Hanson said the journalist told former communications director Francis Zamora that a story might be published. The questions concerned people on the trip who had reportedly been stopped by customs over possible drug paraphernalia and involvement with young women, Hanson testified.

When Hanson and Zamora relayed the inquiry, Thao became angry with Andy Duong, a co-defendant who attended the trip, Hanson said. She recalled Thao saying Duong was “always trouble” and would ruin her career. Hanson also testified that Thao, who had spoken publicly about the mistreatment of women, was deeply upset by the possibility that members of the delegation had participated in wrongdoing.

The Vietnam trip was organized by the Vietnamese American Business Association, which was chaired by David Duong. Thao, her longtime partner Andre Jones, David Duong and his son Andy Duong all attended. The four face bribery, conspiracy and fraud charges. Andy Duong did not respond to a request for comment outside the courthouse; his attorneys said they would respond in court. They had not yet cross-examined Hanson.

Hanson’s testimony on the trial’s opening day also addressed Jones’s role in City Hall. Though he was not a city employee or formal member of Thao’s staff, Hanson said, he attended meetings without being invited. At one January 2023 meeting concerning the removal of then-Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong, Hanson said she left because Jones’s presence could compromise the confidentiality of a discussion involving privileged information.

Hanson testified that Jones responded to her concerns with a remark she understood as a threat to her job: “We’ll see which one of us is left at the end of the day.” Armstrong had been placed on leave after reports that the Police Department improperly investigated misconduct allegations.

Prosecutors also questioned Hanson about Thao’s interest in promoting Larry Gallegos, then a project manager in the city’s economic and workforce development department, to a leadership position. Prosecutors allege Thao and Jones agreed to place candidates favored by the Duongs in city leadership roles as part of a quid pro quo; the federal indictment identifies Gallegos as one of those candidates.

Hanson said Thao suggested Gallegos for a leadership role in the housing department. Hanson disagreed, telling Thao he was not qualified for that position, though he could lead in his existing department. Hanson said she was concerned about retaining experienced housing staff and wanted a strong director.

She testified that she believed Thao had agreed Gallegos would stay in his department. But on March 10, 2023, Thao told Hanson he would be appointed deputy housing director. Gallegos was named interim deputy director that day, one day after prosecutors say Thao attended a dinner with her co-defendants.

Hanson, a friend of Thao’s, testified for about five hours and is expected to continue her testimony when the trial resumes Monday.