A federal grand jury has subpoenaed documents about California Waste Solutions and the Duong family.
Author Archives: Eli Wolfe
Eli Wolfe reports on City Hall for The Oaklandside. He was previously a senior reporter for San José Spotlight, where he had a beat covering Santa Clara County’s government and transportation. He also worked as an investigative reporter for the Pasadena-based newsroom FairWarning, where he covered labor, consumer protection and transportation issues. He started his journalism career as a freelancer based out of Berkeley. Eli’s stories have appeared in The Atlantic, NBCNews.com, Salon, the San Francisco Chronicle, and elsewhere. Eli graduated from UC Santa Cruz and grew up in San Francisco.
Posted inCity Hall
Oakland passes budget, but big cuts are still on the table
The City Council’s plan depends on the successful sale of the Coliseum. $63 million in cuts will be needed if the deal doesn’t materialize by September.
Posted inCity Hall
‘Recall Sheng Thao’ campaign refuses to cooperate with ethics investigators, faces lawsuit
Did the recall campaign violate political fundraising laws? Oakland’s Public Ethics Commission wants to know but recall organizers refuse to hand over records.
Posted inCity Hall
Before FBI raids, the Duongs may have feuded with an Oakland businessman
Mario Juarez was shot at days before the FBI raided the homes of David and Andy Duong. The Duongs and Juarez were investors in a housing company.
Posted inCity Hall
Oakland’s big budget crisis: what you need to know
There’s plenty that could distract city leaders—FBI raids, a mass shooting, complex business deals—but they must pass a budget in the next several days.
Posted inCity Hall
After FBI raids, Oakland City Council kills plan to strengthen government watchdog
Five councilmembers rejected a ballot measure that would have improved the city’s ethics commission, which is currently investigating cases involving current and former lawmakers.
Posted inCity Hall
Kings of trash: How the Duongs built a business empire in Oakland
The family at the center of an FBI investigation has spent decades collecting cardboard and local politicians.
Posted inCity Hall
Oakland mayor and defense attorney part ways, but their stories don’t match
Sheng Thao says she ditched her attorney Tony Brass, while Brass says he withdrew as counsel.
Posted inCity Hall
‘I am innocent,’ Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao says in defiant first appearance since FBI raid
Oakland’s mayor says she’s not going anywhere and questioned the timing and reasoning for the FBI’s search of her home.
Posted inCity Hall
Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao’s attorney insists Thao wasn’t target of FBI raids
Anthony Brass, a former federal prosecutor, issued a statement on the mayor’s behalf Friday.
Posted inCity Hall
Where is Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao?
More than 24 hours after the FBI searched her home the mayor has remained silent about the raids.
Posted inCity Hall
What we know about the FBI’s search of Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao’s home
The FBI hasn’t said what it’s looking for. But for years, state investigators have been scrutinizing how a major Oakland recycling contractor allegedly funneled money to politicians.
Posted inCity Hall
FBI raids home of Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao
FBI agents carried out search warrants at the mayor’s house and a home owned by the city’s recycling contractor California Waste Solutions.
Posted inCity Hall
Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao will face recall election
Oaklanders will decide whether to keep or oust their mayor and District Attorney after campaigners succeeded in gathering enough voter signatures.
Posted inCity Hall
Confidential file alleges former Mayor Libby Schaaf secretly used political committee to raise money from city contractor
Orton Development is under investigation for a $100,000 contribution its president made to an Oakland ballot measure committee while it was negotiating with the city for the Kaiser Center redevelopment.
Posted inCity Hall
Libby Schaaf is under investigation for allegedly running a political committee that attacked a rival
Oakland ethics investigators accused Lyft of making an illegal $100,000 contribution to an anti-Rebecca Kaplan PAC in 2020. Behind the scenes, former Mayor Schaaf was allegedly running the show.
Posted inCity Hall
What is getting cut in Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao’s proposed budget?
Thao’s proposal avoids layoffs but several councilmembers seem reluctant to greenlight any cuts to police and fire. Other departments are also taking big hits.
Posted inPublic Safety
Oakland Kia and Hyundai owners eligible for car theft lawsuit settlement
The automakers sold allegedly faulty, easily stolen vehicles. A new settlement requires them to provide security upgrades and compensate owners.
Posted inCity Hall
Oakland must fix structural deficit, says Mayor Sheng Thao
Thao promises to avoid public safety cuts with her “safe and clean” budget. But dire economic conditions could require major adjustments in the future.
Posted inCity Hall
Oakland has a big plan to balance its budget: sell the Coliseum
The city is negotiating with a Black-led investor group to offload its half-stake in the Coliseum for at least $105 million.
