Witness details bribery allegations in trial of former Oakland mayor
Key witness details alleged pay-to-play scheme, threats in former Oakland mayor's bribery trial.
Mario Juarez, the prosecution's key witness, takes the stand during the bribery trial of former Oakland mayor Sheng Thao. (Photo by Vicki Behringer via Courthouse News) (Photo via Courthouse News)
Mario Juarez, a political operative and businessman, continued his testimony on Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026, in the bribery trial of former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao. Juarez, who has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bribery, provided details to the court regarding an alleged pay-to-play scheme involving city contracts.
Prosecutors allege that recycling executives David and Andy Duong provided financial support for Thao’s 2022 mayoral campaign. According to the prosecution, the scheme included an offer of a $300,000 no-show job for Andre Jones, the longtime romantic partner of the former mayor, at Evolutionary Homes, a startup co-founded by Juarez and the Duongs.
During his testimony, Juarez described a phone call in which Jones allegedly requested an additional $20,000 in payments, beyond the $85,000 he had already received. In a recorded conversation played for the court, Juarez told Jones that David Duong would not be happy to hear about requests for more money when no results had been delivered.
Juarez also testified that he was paid $75,000 to produce attack ads against Loren Taylor, who was Thao’s opponent in the 2022 mayoral election. He stated that these funds were secretly provided by David Duong.
Defense attorneys have contested the testimony, characterizing Juarez as a person with a history of fraud and questioning his credibility. The trial, which centers on allegations of conspiracy, bribery, and fraud, is scheduled to continue on Friday, Nov. 6, 2026, with Juarez expected to return to the stand.