The FBI’s East Bay corruption investigation has already led to the indictment of Oakland’s former mayor, Sheng Thao; her romantic partner; and two prominent businesspeople. The case’s scope expanded this year, with San Leandro Councilmember Bryan Azevedo pleading guilty to accepting a bribe.
Now, a veteran reporter has revealed that the co-host of his local politics podcast was a paid consultant for the businesspeople at the center of the FBI’s case. And he has claimed that in 2023, those businesspeople, David and Andy Duong, tried to quash reporting they didn’t like by offering the reporter, through his co-host, money.
The co-host, Shawn Wilson, is chief of staff to Alameda County Supervisor David Haubert. Wilson confirmed to us this week that he facilitated a sponsorship offer but denied it was to influence any reporting. And he confirmed that he accepted money from the Duongs for unrelated public relations work. Haubert has not been accused of any wrongdoing…