Opening statements began Wednesday in the federal corruption trial of former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, with prosecutors and the defense presenting two different accounts of the case.
Opening statements have included references to alleged text messages, pictures, recordings and other evidence involving the four defendants.
Thao arrived at the courthouse Wednesday morning with her attorney for the first day of what is expected to be a six-week trial.
Her longtime partner and co-defendant, Andre Jones, arrived separately, as did the two other defendants, father-and-son businessmen David and Andy Duong.
Prosecutors presented their case first, spending about an hour laying out their allegations.
“This is a case about a public official who put her power up for sale,” prosecutors told the jury.
Thao won a seat on the Oakland City Council in 2018 and narrowly won the race for mayor in 2023 by fewer than 700 votes.
Prosecutors referenced that election and her victory during opening statements, including connections between the Duongs and Thao’s campaign.
Before the trial began, NBC Bay Area’s Investigative Unit reviewed court documents detailing evidence in the case. There have been 1,800 pieces of evidence submitted, including taped meetings that prosecutors are using in an attempt to establish a financial connection between Thao, her partner and the Duongs.
The defense began its opening statements Wednesday morning, immediately disputing the account laid out by prosecutors.
NBC Bay Area’s Ginger Conejero Saab has the full report in the video above.
