KGO -- As federal officials indicted former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, city leaders who worked alongside the politician reacted to the corruption accusations. Walking out of the federal courthouse, Thao maintained her innocence as she faced an eight-count indictment that included bribery offenses along with her longtime boyfriend and two local businessmen.
This happened just two months after she was recalled. The indictments on bribery charges sent shockwaves across the city with some of Thao's former colleagues responding. This is sadly not the first time that the city of Oakland has experienced what is considered pay to play politics. And allegations of corruption are always a blow to the public's trust and city hall," said Janani Ramachandran, Oakland city councilmember. I just landed and the crisis that is on our streets of homelessness is real.
Public safety is real. There is a mental health crisis and that is real. Former Congresswoman Barbara Lee, who recently filed to run for Oakland mayor, said the city is not for sale and in a statement said:. There should be no tolerance whatsoever for secret pay to play schemes that erode the public trust. Oaklanders expect and deserve leaders who have only one agenda-honest, accountable leadership that serves the people of Oakland. Every individual is entitled to constitutional protections and a presumption of innocence, but City Hall must never be for sale.
We need a fresh start in Oakland. Our local governance and political system must be beyond reproach. Every Oaklander deserves no less. Simon, who replaced Lee in the state's 12th Congressional District, said it will be crucial to regain the trust of Oakland residents. They need us to move forward.
There is a justice department who will do what it needs to do in terms of adjudicating this case, but of course I'm disappointed and of course I'm shocked. Of course, I'm devastated," Simon said. Welcome, Mickey. Manage MyDisney Account.
