OAKLAND, Calif. (KGO) — New details have emerged about one of the central figures in the FBI’s political corruption investigation that led to a search of the Oakland mayor’s home last week.
A quick search of Andy Duong’s Instagram page reveals that he frequently posts with political dignitaries, including President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, Governor Gavin Newsom, Attorney General Rob Bonta, and Secretary of Health and Human Services and former state Attorney General Xavier Becerra. The list also includes elected leaders from other states, such as Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford.
According to an investigation by the Fair Political Practices Commission, a state watchdog agency, “Andy Duong devised a campaign money laundering scheme to benefit his family-owned company, California Waste Solutions, and was the true donor of at least 93 contributions to multiple local election committees.”
The report said Duong “used false names of intermediaries and dummy donors instead of disclosing CWS as the true source of his donations.”
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The FPPC said it has evidence that this is an ongoing investigation that began between 2016 and 2018 and includes reportedly improperly concealed campaign funds.
The FPPC conducted the investigation in conjunction with the Oakland Public Conduct Commission. It’s unclear if formal charges will be filed. The I-Team has reached out to the FPPC for further clarification on the status of the investigation. We received the following statement:
“This remains an open investigation/open case. Per regulations and longstanding practice, I/we do not and cannot comment on any complaints or open cases/investigations,” said Jay Wierenga, FPPC public affairs director.
All but one of the election boards targeted were in jurisdictions with local contribution limits, according to the FPPC report, and the investigation found that at the time, the city of Oakland prohibited campaign contributions from contractors providing services to the city and required City Council approval.
But many of the committee members targeted were candidates running for City Council, according to the documents.
For example, Shen Thao, who ran for city council in 2018, received $9,900 from Duong, which the FPPC alleges was laundered through 13 people.
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According to the FPPC:
- Larry Reed also received $5,600 that was allegedly laundered through eight different entities.
- Dan Kalb received $4,200 that was allegedly laundered through six different people or entities.
- Rebecca Kaplan received $3,500 that was allegedly laundered through seven people.
- Former City Councilwoman Desiree Brooks received $18,700 over two election cycles, but the funds were allegedly laundered through 24 people.
- Former City Councilman Abel Guillen, who is now California’s deputy superintendent of public schools, received $4,200 that was allegedly laundered through 12 people.
“Shady, unethical and they tend to operate under a bribery system,” Shirley Gy said of the Duong family.
Gee is executive director of the Vietnamese American Community Center of the East Bay. She is not speaking on behalf of the organization but as a community activist.
She said she met the Duong family at a lavish fundraising party for Vietnamese-American seniors.
“At the celebration, he stood up and announced that he would donate $1,500 to the elderly, and everyone applauded. But when we went to collect the money from him, we sent out several emissaries. When we asked him where the money was, he first started playing a game of hiding. In the end, he didn’t give us anything,” Gee said.
Andy Duong and his father, David Duong, have donated more than $250,000 combined to 28 candidates across California, according to an ABC7 News analysis of state and federal data. The family has donated more than $2 million combined to more than 300 candidates and political action committees nationwide.
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This includes donations to the campaigns of Reps. Eric Swalwell, Adam Schiff and Barbara Lee, as well as former President Donald Trump.
Statewide, donations are spread across both Democrats and Republicans, with about 13% of state campaign funds going to Republican candidates and committees.
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“In response to this report, the campaign will donate the total donations received from Duong and his family, totaling $26,000, to local nonprofits addressing housing and homelessness,” a Schiff campaign spokesperson wrote to the I-Team.
We reached out to other public officials directly but did not receive an immediate response.
California Waste Solutions sent the I-Team the following statement:
David Duong and his family have been in business in the San Francisco Bay Area for over 40 years. Over those 40 years, we have built numerous relationships with the local community, various organizations and businesses, especially throughout the Bay Area. We were very surprised when federal law enforcement searched our home and offices on June 20th. In order to assist law enforcement in carrying out their mission, we have always cooperated as good law-abiding citizens and provided all conditions for law enforcement to carry out their work effectively. We do not believe that we have been involved in any illegal activities and we await the decision of law enforcement. In the meantime, CWS will continue to proudly provide recycling services to countless communities in the Bay Area.
Mayor Thao broke his silence since last week’s FBI raids at a press conference on Monday.
“I want the truth right now, just like all of you, but I will not be bullied. I will not be disrespected. I will not be threatened with being forced out of this office,” Thao said, referring to concerns that the search is linked to a recall. “I don’t think that’s how it will play out. The people who voted for me have a right to have their voices heard and their community prioritized.”
The FBI has not formally charged Thao or any members of the Duong family with wrongdoing.
Check out more stories from the ABC7 News I-Team.
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