Testimony began on Thursday in the federal corruption trial of former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao.
Leigh Hanson, Thao’s former chief of staff in 2023, testified about the oversized role Thao’s longtime boyfriend and co-defendant, Andre Jones, had in her administration despite not being a city employee.
Hanson said Jones appeared uninvited on a Zoom interview for an important role in the administration.
Hanson also testified that Jones threatened her job as chief of staff after she walked out of a meeting with Jones, the mayor and the city attorney because she believed Jones’ presence as a non-employee would jeopardize attorney-client privilege.
Jones allegedly told Hanson afterward, “We’ll see which one is left at the end of the day.”
Hanson was fired by Thao’s interim successor after Thao was recalled.
Federal prosecutors have indicted Thao on charges of bribery, conspiracy and wire fraud, along with Jones and David and Andy Duong.
The Duongs own California Waste Solutions, Oakland’s recycling contractor. Federal prosecutors allege Thao helped the company secure future contracts with the city of Oakland in exchange for helping her get elected mayor and payments to Jones.
Thao and her co-defendants have pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Hanson also testified about Thao overruling her and hiring Larry Gallegos as deputy director of housing, even though Hanson did not believe Gallegos was the right fit.
Prosecutors allege Thao would use Gallegos to have the city buy 100 housing units from Evolutionary Homes, one of the companies at the center of the alleged bribery scheme involving the Duongs.
Thursday marks the first day of testimony in the corruption trial, with Hanson the first of 68 potential witnesses federal prosecutors could call.
