Former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, her romantic partner and a pair of influential Oakland business owners all pleaded not guilty to a rash of federal corruption and bribery charges last week. Thao, her partner Andre Jones,

Federal prosecutors have charged former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao with gifting government contracts and political influence to a prominent Bay Area family in exchange for negative ads about her opponents and a cushy,

The key players include recently-recalled Mayor Sheng Thao, her longtime boyfriend Andre Jones, and owners of a waste company that allegedly influenced local leaders behind closed doors.

The appointment reflects a key component of the alleged conspiracy: to fill major city staff roles with people who could favor Thao’s campaign backers for heavy public funding.

Federal authorities on Friday charged Thao; her boyfriend, Andre Jones; and local business owners David and Andy Duong with conspiracy and bribery.

Federal authorities on Friday morning announced details of an indictment against recalled Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, her boyfriend, and two members of the politically influential Duong family.

Federal prosecutors in California have indicted the former mayor of Oakland, her longtime partner and two business owners for bribery, conspiracy and mail and wire fraud

Former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao has been indicted on federal bribery charges stemming from an FBI investigation into an alleged payment scheme with a Bay Area trash hauler. Prosecutors allege that Thao promised the city would extend Oakland’s contract with a recycling company and purchase housing units from its politically-connected owners in exchange for financial benefits.

Sheng Thao, the former recalled mayor of Oakland, California, faces corruption charges related to her boyfriend and two others, authorities said.