Former Chief of Staff Testifies on Thao's Vietnam Trip and Jones's City Hall Access
Leigh Hanson, former chief of staff to Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, testified in Thao's federal bribery trial, detailing concerns about Thao's relationship with partner Andre Jones and the 2023 Vietnam delegation trip. Hanson described Jones's unauthorized presence in sensitive meetings as a threat to her position and expressed worry about the Vietnam trip's optics. She also discussed the appointment of Larry Gallegos and meetings with Evolutionary Homes, asserting Thao did not bypass standard procurement processes. The testimony highlights internal conflicts within Thao's administration and the alleged pay-to-play scheme involving the Duong family.