The FBI raided the home of Oakland mayor Sheng Thao on Thursday morning, according to multiple reports.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office did not disclose the reason for the raid, but said there was no public safety threat, according to NBC Bay Area.
“The FBI is conducting court authorized law enforcement activity on Maiden Lane. We are unable to provide additional information at this time,” the bureau said in a statement.
IRS investigators and U.S. Postal Service inspectors were also involved in the raid.
The investigation is reportedly related to alleged campaign finance violations, according to KRON4.
Several other locations were searched as part of a larger operation, including the offices of Oakland’s garbage vendor, California Waste Solutions, and the homes of the company’s CEO David Duong and his son Andy Duong, a financial analyst and part owner of the company.
Andy Duong helped organize a trip to Vietnam for Thao in 2023, according to ABC 7 News.
“The company is fully cooperating with the government’s investigation and we’re confident that the officials, the government will conclude that we are not involved in anything unlawful or improper activity,” California Waste Solutions said in a statement to KRON4.
The Duong family also runs the Vietnamese American Business Association. David Duong is the organization’s chairman.
ABC 7 News reported several other unidentified people are under investigation, as well.
The raids began around 5:30 a.m. Agents were seen carrying boxes from the locations several hours later before departing the scenes.
Mayor Thao canceled a 10 a.m. event about housing prices, but it was unclear if the cancellation was related to the FBI investigation.
Thao was already facing a ballot recall initiative and calls to resign.
