BREAKING: San Leandro City Councilman Bryan Azevedo has just pleaded not guilty to serious federal corruption charges, including accepting a $2,000 bribe from a housing company. This shocking development unfolded during his first court appearance on Wednesday in Oakland, where he faces potential prison time of up to 20 years if convicted.
Azevedo, dressed in a dark grey suit and red tie, remained largely silent as the charges were read, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud and providing false statements to federal investigators. A U.S. District Judge has allowed him to stay free on a $25,000 bond while the prosecution unfolds. His next court date is set for January 8, amidst indications that a plea deal may be imminent.
Federal prosecutors revealed earlier this month that Azevedo is “close to reaching a resolution of his case.” This raises questions about the implications for a related federal corruption case involving former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao and her partner, Andre Jones, as well as the Duong family, who are implicated in similar bribery allegations concerning their business, Evolutionary Homes.
“Azevedo is very close to resolving his case,” stated U.S. Assistant Attorney Abraham Fine during the hearing.
According to court records, Azevedo allegedly accepted the bribe in November 2023 with the expectation that he would leverage his position on the City Council to secure contracts for Evolutionary Homes. Prosecutors allege he even established a limited liability company under his wife’s name to facilitate this scheme. However, no contracts related to this bribe appear to have materialized.
This case bears striking similarities to ongoing corruption allegations against Thao, who is accused of accepting bribes in exchange for political favors and a $95,000 no-show job for Jones. Both cases have now been assigned to the same federal judge, intensifying the scrutiny surrounding the San Leandro Councilman’s actions.
Azevedo, who narrowly secured his position on the city council last year by fewer than 500 votes, has not commented publicly on the accusations leading up to his arraignment. His attorney, Steven Kalar, is representing him as the case develops.
This story is unfolding, and new updates are expected soon. As legal proceedings advance, the implications of Azevedo’s case could resonate widely, potentially impacting other key figures in local governance.
Stay tuned for further developments on this urgent matter.
