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FBI raids home of San Leandro councilman: report
The East Bay Times reports the FBI raided the home of San Leandro Councilman Bryan Azevedo.
SAN LEANDRO, Calif. - FBI agents on Wednesday raided the home of a San Leandro city councilman – the second Bay Area politician to be targeted by the federal agency in six months.
What we know:
The East Bay Times first reported the raid, also pointing out that Bryan Azevedo was among several officials, including recalled Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, who visited Vietnam two years ago.
Thao's home was raided by the FBI in June. She has yet to be charged with any crime.
KTVU reached to Azevedo, but he didn't respond.
Azevedo told the East Bay Times that he had no comment, and he is innocent until proven guilty.
Azevedo was one of several East Bay officials who went to Vietnam in 2023 on a junket sponsored by David Duong, owner of the Oakland-based company California Waste Solutions.
The homes of David Duong and his son, Andy Duong, were also raided by the FBI on June 20 – the same day they confiscated boxes from Thao's home.
Like Thao, the Duongs have also not been charged with any crime.
Local perspective:
On Thursday, San Leandro city spokesman Paul Sanftner told KTVU that the city was aware of the FBI's "warrant service" at Azevedo’s home.
He added that the San Leandro Police Department is not involved with the FBI’s investigation and, because of that, doesn't have any investigative details into what's going on.
Sanftner also said that it is his understanding that the city of San Leandro did not pay for Azevedo’s travel expenses to attend the 2023 Vietnam trip.
The only expense incurred by San Leandro, he added, was "city-branded giveaway merchandise," which cost approximately $350, which Azevedo could gift to whoever he wished during the trip.
Azevedo remains an active member of the City Council, Sanftner said.
What we don't know:
The FBI will not say what these investigations have been about, but both Duongs have been the subjects of the Oakland’s Public Ethics Commission over allegations they used "straw donors" to funnel money to City Council candidates in past elections.
As for Azevedo, all the FBI would confirm is that the agency performed a law enforcement "action" on the 900 block of Dillo Street in San Leandro.
A spokesperson said they were unable to provide any additional information at this time.