by Vicente Vera, Silicon Valley Spotlight : kqed – expert

Recent FBI raids into Bay Area properties owned and run by members of the politically-connected Duong family bring to light the yearslong allegations of illegal political donations into Silicon Valley.

Among those alleged to have received illegal donations are Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, whose residence was searched by federal agents last week in connection with an undisclosed investigation. San José Spotlight found David Duong, CEO of California Waste Solutions, a company contracting with San Jose, and another company leader made contributions to the campaigns of San Jose City Council District 8 candidate Tam Truong and South Bay Congressman Ro Khanna.

Truong’s Campaign Manager Manuel Robles confirmed they received a $700 contribution from Michael Duong, a manager at California Waste Solutions, but the campaign now plans to give the money back.

“Given the news raising questions about these contributions to campaigns throughout the Bay Area and beyond, we are in the process of returning this check,” he told San José Spotlight.

Campaign finance reports show David Duong contributed at least $5,800 to Khanna’s congressional campaign committee last year. Khanna, who represents District 17 in Silicon Valley, said he plans to donate the money.

“We plan to donate the contribution to an organization that is helping people in my district struggling with the rising cost of living highlighted by the Silicon Valley Pain Index report,” Khanna told San José Spotlight.

A California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) report from 2021 alleges David Duong and his son Andy Duong were involved in laundering at least 93 political campaign contributions totaling nearly $76,000. The scheme allegedly resulted in the company reimbursing friends for making political cash contributions to candidates across the state, including the South Bay, on their behalf — an illegal practice that uses “straw donors.”

Jay Wierenga, spokesperson for the FPPC, told San José Spotlight their investigation is still open.

David Duong said California Waste Solutions is aware of federal agents executing search warrants at a number of locations in Oakland related to the company.

“The company is fully cooperating with the government’s investigation, and is confident that the government will conclude that it was not involved in any unlawful or improper activity,” David Duong told San José Spotlight…(more)

It seems like the Duong Bros covered all their bases. No one is left out. Interesting that there is no mention of the Mayor of Oakland whose home was searched, supposedly in connection with the Bros. What does that mean?