Oakland residents could be eligible to receive refunds for recycling overpayments
OAKLAND, Calif. - Some Oakland residents may be eligible for a refund from a recycling company owned by a family at the center of an FBI investigation linked to former Mayor Sheng Thao.
California Waste Solutions
The backstory:
This follows a lawsuit filed by the City of Oakland against California Waste Solutions, alleging that property owners were overcharged for recycling services from 2010 through 2021. The city attorney found that 1,340 properties were affected, with customers charged five times more than they should have been.
According to a city press release, more than 100 customers have yet to receive their refund of at least $10,000. Two property owners could receive more than $100,000.
"We urge property owners who might be eligible for a refund to submit a claim. The City would like to make sure affected Oaklanders receive the money they are due," said Oakland City Attorney Ryan Richardson. "Many property owners overpaid and now have an opportunity to reclaim these funds."
April 11 deadline
What we know:
Property owners have until April 11 to submit their claims for a refund.
How to file a claim
Notices were sent through the mail in early 2024 to affected property owners with information on their calculated refund amount, along with a unique code. The city has established a website, www.CWSSettlement.com, to fill out and submit the claims form using that unique code. The forms can also be submitted through the mail.
Property owners can call 1-833-493-1547 for more information or to request a claims form if they did not receive one in the mail or can't find their form.
Refunds will be disbursed after the filing deadline.
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Who are the Duongs, family charged in Sheng Thao's indictment?
The Duong Family owns Cal Waste Solutions, Oakland's recycling company, which also provides junk pick-up in San Jose, and an integrated waste management facility in their native Vietnam.
FBI probe
The Oakland-based California Waste Solutions is owned by the Duong family, who are at the center of a federal indictment along with Thao and her boyfriend, Andre Jones.
David Duong, CEO of California Waste Solutions, and his son, Andy Duong, an employee, were charged with bribery, conspiracy, and mail and wire fraud in January.
The Duongs also owned a housing company that developed prefabricated modular homes.
The Duongs are accused of conspiring with Thao and her boyfriend to funnel city business to companies owned by the family in exchange for benefits to the ex-mayor and her boyfriend.
The Source: The Oakland City Attorney's Office, the FBI and previous reporting.