San Leandro City Councilmember Bryan Azevedo is under investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice, the San Francisco Chronicle and ABC 7 have learned. Azevedo was notified about the probe last month. He is facing potential charges of bribery, conspiracy, and lying to investigators.
According to ABC 7, the investigation is connected to the criminal case against former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, her boyfriend Andre Jones, and businessmen David and Andy Duong.
The Duongs own California Waste Solutions, a recycling company which contracts with Oakland. They also own Evolutionary Homes, which turns shipping containers into housing. Prosecutors have accused the Duongs of funneling $95,000 to Thao and Jones as part of a pay-to-play scheme.
Azevedo is another close associate of the Duong family. The Duongs donated thousands of dollars to his campaign, and he tried to get San Leandro to purchase containers from Evolutionary Homes.
Read more about the investigation here.