Credibility of star witness challenged at corruption trial of former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao

Sheng Thao Credibility of star witness challenged at corruption trial of former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao Defense attorneys press star witness Mario Juarez over text messages, campaign mailers, and alleged motives during the high-profile federal corruption trial. By Velena Jones • Published November 9, 2026 • Updated on November 9, 2026 at 7:11 pm Questions of credibility and motive took center stage at the corruption trial of former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, as defense attorneys continued cross-examining their star witness. Mario Juarez gave a thumbs-up after a day of being grilled on the stand, during which attorneys accused him of padding expense reimbursements from Thao's co-defendants, David and Andy Duong and stealing from his former business associates. Watch NBC Bay Area News free wherever you are WATCH HERE David Duong’s attorney also questioned whether Juarez wanted to hurt the family’s recycling company, California Waste Solutions. Juarez denied it. The defense then presented a text message sent to a business associate just two days before Juarez met with the FBI in 2024, in which Juarez stated that he needed to "expletive" the Duongs. Attorneys also challenged Juarez’s claim that the defendants launched a scheme to get Thao elected because she was losing ground in the 2022 mayoral race, citing a poll showing Thao was tied with opponent Loren Taylor around that time. Additionally, the defense accused Juarez of designing negative campaign mailers and falsifying a state expenditure report. Juarez admitted to falsifying the documents and to only partially paying the printer $31,000. Prosecutors allege Juarez, the Duongs, Thao, and her partner, Andre Jones, conspired to trade campaign support for political favors and city business. The defense maintains there was no scheme and that Juarez acted alone. Local San Francisco 37 minutes ago Nima Momeni sentenced in 2023 killing of Cash App founder Bob Lee in San Francisco Santa Cruz County 3 hours ago Coast Guard suspends search for woman swept out to sea in Santa Cruz County Juarez insists he helped coordinate and carry out the alleged bribery plan. He agreed to plead guilty to a conspiracy charge and testify for the government in hopes of a lighter sentence. During the proceedings, the judge again warned defense attorneys to stop drawing out their questioning and arguing with Juarez, cautioning that if they did not pick up the pace, she would do it for them. This article tagged under: Sheng Thao