Oakland Mayor Under Fire As Police Union Urges Resignation

The Oakland, California, police union is demanding that Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao step down “immediately,” claiming a shortage of resources that prevents police from reacting to criminal activity complaints.

At a press conference, Oakland Police Officers Association president Huy Nguyen stated that the union is requesting that Sheng Thao step down as mayor “immediately for a lot of the failures in this city.” According to reports, Nguyen also cited “the budget crisis and the distraction of the FBI raid that prevents our ability to function as a city.”

“Our people experience the horrors daily. That despite contacting 911, they are unable to leave their house or stroll through Oakland’s streets and are receiving insufficient assistance,” Nguyen went on.

Prior to the calls from the Police union urging her to step down, Sheng Tao has been embroiled in controversy. The drama surrounding her boyfriend’s probe has also piqued the public’s interest in the Mayor. Here’s all we know.

Who Is the Oakland Mayor’s Boyfriend?

Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao’s boyfriend is Andre Jones. According to information obtained by the Chronicle, federal officials raided her residence on June 20. During the raid, authorities took her computer and mobile phone. They also seized Jones’ phone.

After five days, the city of Oakland received a subpoena from a federal grand jury requesting all “documents and communications related to Andre Jones” and “calendar entries or records” of meetings in which Thao or Jones were present since June 2022.

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The Mayor of Oakland’s Salary

The Oakland City Council granted the mayor of the city the lowest legal pay increase, which is the first raise the post has had in ten years. The Oakland mayor’s pay was increased by $13,000 when the City Council voted 6-2 in favor of the move, raising the salary to $216,000. 

Oakland’s City Charter states that the mayor’s compensation “shall not be less than 70% nor more than 90%” of the average pay of city managers and chief executive officers from six California communities with varying populations. 

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Who Are the Previous Mayors of Oakland, CA?

Oakland was established in 1852 and became a city on March 25, 1854. Mayors held office for a mere one to two years until the early 20th century. Some of the previous mayors of Oakland include Horace W. Carpentier, Charles Campbell, Samuel H. Robinson, and Andrew F. Williams.

Others include Merritt, Samuel, Felton John B., Spaulding Nathan W., and so on up until Sheng Thao. 

Who Was the First Black Mayor of Oakland?

Lionel Joseph Wilson (March 14, 1915 – January 23, 1998) is the first black mayor of Oakland. Wilson was the eldest of eight children of Louise Barrios and Julius Wilson in New Orleans, Louisiana. 

He was a member of the Democratic Party and was a prominent American politician. He held the office for three terms, from 1977 to 1991, making history as Oakland, California’s first black mayor.

Oakland Mayor’s Boyfriend Probed Amid Investigation 

The FBI raided Mayor Sheng Thao’s Maiden Lane residence six days before issuing a subpoena on June 26. Investigators were seeking files and correspondence about Oakland Mayor Thao, her long-time boyfriend Andre Jones, several Duong family members, and other city departments.

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Notably, the Duong family owns the recycling company California Waste Solutions in the city. The investigators named David Duong, the company CEO, and his son Andy Duong in detail in the subpoena. The FBI and the Oakland police union have yet to disclose what and who their detectives are investigating.

“I am not permitted even to confirm the existence (or non-existence) of a grand jury investigation,” a USAO spokeswoman said to reporters in response to a question regarding the grand jury’s subpoena.

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