SAN LEANDRO — The FBI raided the home of a San Leandro City councilman who is now the latest East Bay government official to receive such an unwanted surprise from federal law enforcement.
In a brief statement, an FBI spokeswoman confirmed agents conducted “law enforcement activity” on Wednesday at the Dillo Street residence of Councilman Bryan Azevedo, who was elected in 2020 and secured a second term last year.
Reached Wednesday afternoon, Azevedo declined to share anything when asked whether the FBI had raided his house.
“I have no comment at this time,” said Azevedo, adding only, “I am innocent until proven guilty.”
The FBI has not commented whether Wednesday’s raid is related to an ongoing corruption investigation in the East Bay, but Azevedo was one of several East Bay officials who attended a 2023 trip to Vietnam alongside other targets of the probe.
The trip was sponsored by a business group led by David Duong, owner of the Oakland-based company California Waste Solutions, which was raided by the FBI last June. Also in attendance was former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, whose home was also hit by the FBI.
David Duong and his son, Andy Duong, have been the subject of an investigation by Oakland’s Public Ethics Commission since 2020 over allegations they used “straw donors,” or obscure third-party entities, to funnel money to City Council candidates in past elections.
San Leandro’s councilman for District 2, Azevedo touts deep roots to his hometown.
A fourth-generation San Leandro resident, he works as a foreperson for Sheet Metal Workers and is a routine volunteer with his wife at their children’s public schools, according to the city’s website. On social media, Azevedo has also touted his relationship with Andy Duong, referring to him as a “buddy” and California Waste Solutions as “a great union company.”
Azevedo narrowly retained his council seat in the November election, squeaking out a win against Ed Hernandez by claiming 50.8% of the vote. He campaigned on a platform that included reducing crime and addressing housing and homelessness.
In the lead-up to that contest, Azevedo came under criminal investigation after police suspect he got into a physical altercation with former San Leandro Councilmember Lee Thomas at a Democratic Club candidate forum, according to the San Leandro Police Department.
The skirmish sent Thomas and San Leandro city Councilmember Corina Lopez to the emergency room, each of whom filed police reports after the incident, police said. Thomas told this newspaper he was accosted after he began filming a conversation outside of the forum between Azevedo and journalist Steven Tavares of East Bay Insiders.
“I should not have to be scared of a politician,” Thomas said after the encounter. “I should not have to worry about my safety or being attacked.”
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
