Judge denies defense evidence on eve of former Oakland mayor’s bribery trial
A federal judge denied businessman David Duong's request to obtain the tax records of Mario Juarez, the government's expected star witness, ahead of the bribery trial of recalled Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, her partner Andre Jones, and the Duong family. Chief U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers did not explain her reasoning in open court, saying a written ruling would follow. Prosecutors argued the defense motion had no legal basis and noted much of Juarez's seized material remains sealed and unreviewed more than a year after it was collected.
Thao faces six counts of conspiracy and bribery over allegations she took up to $95,000 in cash to benefit the Duong family's business interests, including a shipping-container shelter company Juarez co-founded with the Duongs before turning on them and giving information to the FBI in 2024. Defense attorneys also raised concerns about a 75-person jury pool they say has already formed opinions from news coverage, which the judge was skeptical warranted broad dismissals.
Jury selection begins Oct. 13, with 18 jurors to be chosen from the pool for nine jury seats and nine alternates.
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