{
  "id": 14777489,
  "title": "Thao trial opens with fiery allegations, strenuous disavowals",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/15/thao-trial-opens-with-fiery-allegations-strenuous-disavowals",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-15T19:41:44.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Winnipeg Free Press",
    "slug": "winnipeg-free-press",
    "url": "https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/world/2026/10/15/thao-trial-opens-with-fiery-allegations-strenuous-disavowals"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Federal prosecutors began opening a high-profile corruption trial against former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, Andre Jones, and David and Andy Duong on Wednesday. The government alleged a scheme where the defendants allegedly put their own monetary interests above the people they were supposed to serve. Assistant U.S. Attorney Abraham Fine described an indictment from January 2025, detailing text messages and conversations between the defendants, including a conversation between Juarez and Duong where they discussed receiving money for a failed job and influencing city contracts. The prosecution also introduced evidence of meetings, dinners, and business trips between the defendants and Juarez, including a recording of Evolutionary Homes board meetings where David Duong expressed concerns about Thao's handling of the company's tiny houses. According to the government, the Duongs and Juarez promised Thao to appoint a powerful city official in exchange for her support during the 2022 mayoral election. Thao allegedly complied by appointing Larry Gallegos to a key position. The trial involved a packed courtroom of media and public members, and prosecutors plan to call more witnesses, including Thao's former chief of staff, Oakland's former city administrator, and Gallegos.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}