Despite the level of noise, there's oddly little actual information. So far this Oaklandside post is the most information I've found in one place. Apparently Thao's lawyer may be holding a press conference soon?
BTW for detailed ground-level coverage of Oakland politics: https://twitter.com/hyphy_republic/
Also, all of this is somehow managing to overshadow 15 people getting shot after a fight broke out post Juneteenth festivities.
And of course both stories are getting the right wing weirdos who obsess over certain cities extremely horny.
Tony Brass, a criminal defense attorney, told The Oaklandside that Thao is “ready, willing and able to cooperate fully with federal investigators.” Brass said he has no information that Thao is or will be the target of any investigation, adding that the mayor has nothing to hide.
More detailed response from Thao:
“I can tell you with confidence this investigation is not about me,” Thao told reporters at a packed press conference on Monday. “I have not been charged with a crime and I am confident I will not be charged with a crime because I am innocent.”
Thao aggressively questioned the timing of the raid, which occurred just days after a recall campaign targeting her qualified for the ballot and she criticized the recall as a vehicle for “rightwing radical forces” who are trying to undermine progressive causes and leaders in the East Bay.
“I want to know more about the handful of billionaires from San Francisco and Piedmont who are hellbent on running me out of office,” Thao said.
It's certainly true that Thao has been targeted by the right wing. I don't know how to assess the overall plausibility of anything else here, in any direction.
Embattled Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao’s attorney has resigned as her counsel after the mayor gave a press conference Monday without informing him. Tony Brass, a high-profile attorney who also represents accused Bob Lee killer Nima Momeni, was retained as Mayor Thao’s counsel late last week after the Federal Bureau of Investigation raided her Oakland home.
“I have officially withdrawn as Sheng Thao’s counsel,” Brass told Bay City News, via text message.
Thao sent KRON4 the following statement:
“I appreciate Tony Brass for providing me with initial legal guidance. He helped me better understand the investigation and my legal options. Over the weekend, I obtained new legal counsel and thanked Mr. Brass for his counsel. I will share the name of my new counsel once agreements are finalized.”
