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Opening statements began last week in federal court in Oakland for the corruption trial of former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, her partner Andre Jones, and recycling executives David and Andy Duong. KQED Forum's Alexis Madrigal discusses the alleged scheme and how the case is unfolding and what to expect from the trial.

Alexis Madrigal: Based on what you have heard, let’s imagine that these allegations of what happened are correct. How out of the ordinary do you think this sort of arrangement would have been?

Davina Hurt: Out of the ordinary? Not really. This is somewhat an issue of political access, which is pretty routine. But the ethical question that this turns on, about being independent, fair, and explainable, is where there’s a lot of concern.

And I think you’ll hear a lot of reaction from the community. These cases, they’re not unprecedented. And, in fact, relationships are what get you elected, but it’s how far those relationships go. Whether it’s recycling or it’s a local business down the street, once you take that oath of office, there’s a real need to have safeguards and separate the duties of them helping you get elected from being accountable to the public at large.

 

Davina Hurt, director, government ethics, interviewed by KQED Forum. The episode can also be found on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and other podcast platforms by searching "KQED Forum."