'I have committed no wrongdoing': Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao claims FBI wouldn't have raided her home if she was 'rich'

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA: Sheng Thao, Oakland's Mayor, faced scrutiny and condemned the federal investigation that led to the FBI raiding her residence in California last week.

She maintained that her modest background, devoid of wealth and elite education, made her a target. Despite facing a recall vote in November due to increasing crime and the potential departure of the Oakland A's, Thao stood by her initial remarks following the raid.

Sheng Thao defends herself in a public statement following a raid by federal agents on her Oakland home

During her initial public statement on Monday, June 24, following the raid on her home by federal agents, Thao emphasized, "I want to make it absolutely clear: I have committed no wrongdoing. I can confidently say that this investigation does not involve me."

She asserted that she was being singled out, despite other politicians having committed far more serious infractions.

“This wouldn’t have gone down the way it did if I was rich if I had gone to elite private schools or if I had come from money,” she said.

She further added, “I know that for sure because former elected officials are sitting safely in their houses in the hills right now with campaign finance violations piling up.”

Early on the morning of Thursday, June 20, authorities raided the home of Thao and two other residences in the Oakland area owned by David and Andy Duong, the father-and-son team behind California Waste Solutions, a company holding recycling contracts with the city of Oakland, as reported by NBC Bay Area.

Over the years, the Duongs have made substantial donations to various local politicians, including Thao.

Ongoing investigation involves raid on Mayor Sheng Thao's Oakland residence

The specifics of the investigation remain unclear, but agents were seen removing boxes from Thao's residence during the raid. Thao, who lives in the house with her partner, was reportedly at home with her son when the FBI arrived, the New York Post reported.

The mayor displayed emotion at the press conference, shedding tears as she recalled her upbringing as the daughter of a refugee.

“When my parents came to this country fleeing genocide, they never could have imagined that their daughter would one day be mayor of Oakland. I am my ancestors’ wildest dream,” she said. “And I am your mayor: Mayor Sheng Thao.”

Not everyone is content with this situation. Since her inauguration in 2023, Oakland has seen a significant uptick in crime, with violent offenses and burglaries escalating by over 20% compared to the previous year.

Many have pointed fingers at the progressive Mayor Thao for these issues, and in May, a recall petition amassed the required 25,000 signatures to secure a place on the ballot this November.

Internet ridicules Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao

As soon as the New York Post published the news, readers started reacting to it. One said, "If the investigation isn't about her, why does it matter if she was rich or went to an elite school?"

Another user questioned, "No Elite school? What are you talking about? You got a BA from UC Berkley! Blame shifting is very obvious."

A commentator wrote, "if you have information about other elected officials committing crimes...tell us what it is.. the 'I know a secret' routine only works if you actually have one and use it." [sic]

"Dems always ready to blame someone, anyone else," a person said.

A reader remarked, "She doesn't even govern. Have you seen Oakland under her tenure. A giant waste dump." [sic]

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.