Assistant U.S. Attorney Abraham Fine told jurors that Thao, her longtime partner Andre Jones, and California Waste Solutions co-owners Andy and David Duong participated in a quid pro quo tied to the 2022 mayoral election. Prosecutors allege the Duongs financed negative advertising against Thao’s opponents and arranged a $300,000 no-show job for Jones. In return, they say, Thao would use her office to benefit California Waste Solutions and Evolutionary Homes, a startup seeking to build housing from shipping containers.

“This is not politics as usual,” Fine said, describing the alleged arrangement as “politics as profit.”

Defense attorneys rejected the government’s account and repeatedly challenged the credibility of Mario Juarez, a former Duong business partner who prosecutors say is central to their case. Thao’s lawyer, Jeffrey Tsai, called Juarez’s account “pure fiction.” Prosecutors countered that jurors should weigh his testimony alongside other evidence.

Tsai portrayed Thao as a public servant who had no knowledge of a bribery plan and resisted Juarez’s requests for city contracts and appointments. He said there was no agreement involving a bribe, $300,000 or modular housing units. Thao took office in January 2023 and was recalled in November 2024, after the FBI searched her home, the Duongs’ homes and California Waste Solutions’ headquarters. She was indicted shortly after her removal.

Jones’ attorney, Mark Goldrosen, argued that his client had a legitimate consulting role with Evolutionary Homes, focused on government relations and homelessness. He said Jones was paid $75,000 in advances to remain available as the startup developed. That account differs from the prosecutors’ allegation that Jones was promised $300,000 for a job that required no work.

David Duong’s attorney, Jeff Schenk, described his client as a legitimate businessman who was unaware of any alleged scheme. Schenk pointed to text messages in which Juarez asked Andy Duong whether they should inform his father about updates to their arrangement, arguing that the exchange undermined the claim that David was involved.

Andy Duong’s lawyer, Winston Chan, said prosecutors had selected messages and notes to build a misleading narrative. He argued that texts celebrating Thao’s election and expressing excitement about a possible city investment in Evolutionary Homes did not prove bribery.

The case follows a period of upheaval in Oakland politics. The FBI raids more than two years ago intensified pressure around a recall campaign that ended Thao’s tenure. The trial will test the government’s allegations about whether public decisions were tied to private benefits, as well as the defense’s contention that the case depends on Juarez’s credibility.

Prosecutors said Leigh Hanson, Thao’s former chief of staff, was expected to be the first witness when testimony began the following day.