FBI Raids Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao's Residence—Authorities Mum on Reason Why

AP Photo/Johnny Clark

FBI agents armed with warrants showed up at Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao's home at 5:30 a.m. Thursday for an early morning raid.

Although they left with boxes, they gave no indication of what the law enforcement action was about:

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In an emailed statement to CBS News Bay Area, the FBI said, "The FBI is conducting court authorized law enforcement activity on Maiden Lane. We are unable to provide additional information at this time." 

Just after 10 a.m., several FBI agents emerged from the home carrying boxes as news crews staked out positions across the street. It was unclear what the agents were seeking or what was seized. 

Oakland has not fared well under Thao's watch.


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The mayor is under threat of a recall, and on Tuesday, officials announced that enough signatures had been collected for the effort to continue. It would appear she's made plenty of enemies:

The move to recall Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao took another step forward on Tuesday.

Organizers of the effort turned in the petition weeks ahead of the July 22 deadline. On Tuesday, the Alameda County Registrar of Voters said there were enough signatures.

According to recall organizers, they needed 24,644 valid signatures, but they turned in a petition with more than 40,000 signatures.

The lead recall petitioner is retired Alameda County Superior Court Judge Brenda Harbin-Forte. She is also a former member of the Oakland Police Commission, which Thao removed her from in 2023.

Recall supporters have said the recall is justified for several reasons, including crime, the city's financial struggles, the way Thao fired former police chief LeRonne Armstrong and her administration's mishandling of a state crime grant application that cost the city $15 million in lost funding.

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According to reports, Thao rented the residence, and at least three more houses will receive FBI visits in the near future. It's unclear if Thao rents or owns those locations. 

According to a law enforcement source, this raid is just one of four locations in Oakland that will be searched by the FBI. 

This is a breaking story, and RedState will bring you more information as it becomes available.

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