Seems to be connected to this political money laundering case [0], as the raids hit all the suspects listed.
Edit: The Duong family is also connected with the Long An Green Tech Park project outside Saigon [1][2] which had been moribund for almost a decade, and most likely was unlocked due to some backdoor dealings.
Definitely but given the other homes raided we can connect some of the blanks. Add in that Oakland is filled with organized crime with payoffs going towards OPD and beyond, it makes sense.
Home of Mayor Sheng Thao on Maiden Lane in the Oakland Hills
California Waste Solutions at the Embarcadero
Home of California Waste Solutions' Andy Duong on View Crest Court
Home of California Waste Solutions' David and Linda Duong on Skyline Blvd
Andy Duong is the son of David Duong, the President and CEO of California Waste Solutions, whose house was also raided.
California Waste Solutions is Oakland's garbage vendor.
These often tag along in the US as add-on, enhancing or easier to prove items on investigations that have little to do with them. Money was involved but not reported to the IRS: IRS. Anything at all went through the mail: USPS. It says nothing about the core issues being investigated.
Sure, but my whole point is that corruption charges are incredibly hard to bring outside the context of utilizing (or cheating) those two services. Smart criminals pay their taxes.
Fair. Are there examples documented out there where the smart criminals did pay their taxes and we got details on how exactly they described and categorized these payments? "Misc income (bribes) $123,456" might not be the best solution.
"Illegal activities. Income from illegal activities, such as
money from dealing illegal drugs, must be included in your
income on Schedule 1 (Form 1040), line 8z, or on Schedule C
(Form 1040) if from your self-employment activity."
Heh. Yes I had noticed this. The problem with "Misc income (bribes)" would be mentioning "bribes" outright. Which then might have a propensity to reach the wrong persons. Confidentially of course. I expect it's more popular to find other, more politically favorable euphemistic ways to still declare and pay taxes even if the description is only marginally or technically correct.
Or to disguise the illegal activity as a "separate business". I insufficiently remember cases in Europe where "Consulting services" were provided. Consulting services would be an easy one. I'd say too easy by now, for a politician.
Oakland is a dumpster fire. Not surprised if the Mayor turns out to be involved in money laundering schemes. Hopefully the FBI's investigation will proceed faster than the recall vote.
Edit: The Duong family is also connected with the Long An Green Tech Park project outside Saigon [1][2] which had been moribund for almost a decade, and most likely was unlocked due to some backdoor dealings.
[0] - https://oaklandside.org/2020/09/15/accusations-of-political-...
[1] - https://baolongan.vn/de-xuat-thi-diem-khu-cong-nghiep-xanh-t...
[2] - https://theinvestor.vn/us-invested-firm-prepares-700-mln-for...