Democratic Oakland Mayor Shen Tao made her first public appearance Monday since the FBI raided her home last Thursday.
Thao has denied any wrongdoing and suggested the federal investigation may have targeted her because of her history rather than any criminal activity. according to The search was part of an investigation involving the Internal Revenue Service and the U.S. Postal Service and took place early Thursday morning at Thao's home in Oakland's Lincoln Highlands neighborhood, according to the New York Post.
Mayor Tao, who is currently facing a possible recall due to rising crime rates and the departure of the Oakland Athletics sports teams, expressed his frustration at a press conference on Monday.
Oakland Mayor Shen Tao, whose home was searched by the FBI last week, insists he did nothing wrong and blames “radical right-wing forces.” pic.twitter.com/gOBbOhkqYg
— Libs on TikTok (@libsoftiktok) June 24, 2024
“Let me be very clear: I have done nothing wrong,” Tao said, according to the New York Post. “I can confidently say this investigation is not about me.”
She argued that the investigation did not focus specifically on her actions, and suggested that her socio-economic status and lack of an elite education may have influenced her being targeted. (Related: FBI raid on media consultant's home linked to Tucker Carlson leak investigation: report)
“If I had money, if I had gone to a prestigious private school or if I had come from a wealthy family, this would not have happened,” she said, according to the outlet. “That is certainly true as former public officials now sit safely in their Hillary homes while campaign finance charges mount.”
NEW YORK, NY – MAY 2: (From left) Shen Tao and Michelle Wu speak onstage during the TAAF Cultural Heritage Month Summit at the Glass House in New York City on May 2, 2024. (JP Yim/Getty Images via Courtesy of Asian American Foundation)
Tao has taken a firm stance against the incident, seeking justice.
“I will not fall like that, and we will not fall like that. The people who voted for me should be heard and their community should come first. I want the truth right now, just like all of you,” Tao added. video “I will not be bullied, disrespected or threatened with being removed from this office,” he shared on Twitter.
It was previously reported that the FBI arrived at Thao's home around 5:30 a.m. They were reportedly seen removing boxes and bags from the building. Despite the visible activity and the involvement of multiple federal agencies, the FBI has remained tight-lipped about details of the investigation. according to CBS News Bay Area.
