Attorney Anthony Brass no longer representing Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao

Just hours after Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao held a news conference on Monday to refuse calls for her resignation and proclaim her innocence in the wake of an FBI raid on her home, her recently hired criminal defense lawyer announced he will no longer represent her. Watch as ABC7 political insider Phil Matier announces Brass' withdrawal from representing Mayor Thao and offers more insight following the shakeup. abc7ne.ws/3XzFDxZ
#ShengThao #OaklandMayor #AnthonyBrass #FBIraid #recalleffort #philmatier #politics #anthonybrass #abc7news

[@user-bg7km4ij7f]

Crazy when the millionaires start blaming the billionaires.

[@Eldot5]

Poor. She said she’s poor, everybody has to believe her. She’s credible and full of integrity. Trust what she said about herself. She’s poor.

[@x-men69-96]

Democrat

[@shareefk9039]

😂

[@mikeg3439]

She's an evil liar. The billionaires may have some among them who should answer to something or other, but it has nothing to do with her alleged felonies, I'm sure, just as I expect she damned well knows.

[@silentmajority8365]

@@Eldot5 I no beereeve you

[@Nogoingback424]

She held a press conference and made a statement without talking to her lawyer. WOW! Talk about stupid. Then she goes out and cries victim 20 times.

[@silentmajority8365]

@@aaap3875 Then Biden

[@donaldotrumpriguez2024]

Corruptocrats trying to Steal our county before our eyes but were not going to let it happen

[@donnadea3081]

Yep another sign that she is not competent to run complex urban Oakland with lots of problems.

[@kittysysagal1209]

It's not the mayor's fault she's in the office. People of Oakland put her there. They got what they voted for.

[@eyebeebak]

it means she has nothing to hide. Trump brings a lawyer with him for every press conference and court case and he's found guilty on every one of them. When you know you're guilty, you bring a lawyer.

[@urbn8699]

Lawyers quit for three reasons: a client that can't pay, a client that will not follow instruction(s), and/or a client who does not tell their lawyer the truth.

[@Charles-Darwin]

Or an elite that buys/snipes said lawyer's time at a higher rate

[@silentmajority8365]

4 she is a criminal

[@mikecanul]

Yup - 💯

[@user-de5td1jm7b]

He got higher paid to not support her or maybe he is one of those that wants her out. We will never know until proven guilty 😂😂😂

[@pb12661]

or they know their client is so clearly guilty that they simply don't want to get involved.

[@RisitasKEKW]

Her argument is “others did it too and they’re not getting investigated” that’s not a defense 😂

[@gerrylee1687]

That’s firing shots. They are definitely going to make her life miserable now. As a Asian even I want her in the federal penitentiary

[@RandA1220]

Heard that same defense from speeder in court all the time, it had worked for 0 people that I have observed

[@gerald-uo7ry]

you're not white wake up call

[@Noconstitutionfordemocrats1]

Hunter did it, too.

[@TenFalconsMusic]

They probably didn't forget to pay 10% to the big guy.

[@RisitasKEKW]

He said , “nah fuck this” and bounced 😂

[@derrickwashington1713]

After she said that goofy shit? Oh Absolutely! 💵💵

[@cottagegymfun]

Lawyer has got to protect his reputation. He ain't f'g with the Fed for a Mayor.

[@TenFalconsMusic]

He probably jumped to the other side, because prosecuting her would be way easier than defending her.

[@esq5011]

I'd like to hire you as a news broadcaster.

[@RisitasKEKW]

@@esq5011 what’s the salary

[@cocobaconproductions]

She's playing the identity blame game. Victim much?

[@magdavelas]

He knows she's guilty and that she will go down spectacularly.

[@MH_6160]

Lets hope so!

[@derrickwashington1713]

He's no dummie!

[@isarili747]

You know too much going

[@reach415]

Her lack of accountability reeks.

[@paullunkes8383]

Ohh he wasted no time hitting the eject button…not a good look….

[@goldenSun415]

She is shady

[@MF-iy2iy]

there all shady

[@aquamarineblue8690]

Let the FBI do their job.

[@Noconstitutionfordemocrats1]

Of going after parents and setting up whitmer plots.

[@silentmajority8365]

@@Noconstitutionfordemocrats1 You were ok with them going after Trump

[@donaldotrumpriguez2024]

@@silentmajority8365TRUMP 24 .. we going to celebrate with sideshows and fireworks when he wins !!!

[@Noconstitutionfordemocrats1]

@@silentmajority8365 Nope. Add that to the list.

[@isarili747]

Trump 34 CT , trump supporter still celebrate, is it no crime at all even the mayor hasn't done wrong? You blame her faulty.

[@ereal4850]

She needs to resign immediately. Sheng Thao needs to stop embarrassing herself.

[@isarili747]

How?

[@drive8892]

Just because she fired one of your dude haha

[@RISKYHAPPLY]

can we just recall her already. We don't want this

[@TacoGrande007]

Mayor Sheng needs to throw in the Thao.

[@megancao5988]

😂

[@correa40]

HAHAAHAHAHAAAAHAHAHAAHAHA

[@user-yx5fo3fu4s]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@Nogoingback424]

😂😂😂😂

[@ZAPPED916]

Ha! Got HEEM!

[@KazeriantheVIIII]

She gives that awful press conference and then her lawyer bails. Doesn't take a rocket scientist to see there is something not right going on here.

[@josephrice29]

The lawyer says you're so guilty you make OJ.Look innocent

[@fatteebaddee]

You ever deal with lawyers? It's your ability to pay that determines if they'll work for you. This will be a monstrous case, she does not have monstrous money. Your conspiratorial, good for you

[@CA-kj4sf]

@@fatteebaddee From a renter to owning four properties in two years?

[@BLUELEADER78]

​@fatteebaddee 2:37 they'll probably freeze her assets soon.

[@tadape5513]

@@fatteebaddeethe dude boning her has monstrous money 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@WithoutRemorse12]

​@@CA-kj4sfYou need millions to have a decent defense against the feds. Even if you're innocent a defense attorney would probably advise their client to take a plea deal to avoid a long sentence.

[@thenegociater3387]

Attorney: Yes, the claims of political corruption against Mayor Sheng Thao are baseless, and I am sure her innocence will be proven. With that, I tender my resignation.

[@hearswhat8734]

Will she be performing at her church?

[@kimlanglewis152]

I always appreciate hearing Phil Matierj, whether on KCBS or on TV. He is always very straight forward with the stories and facts as presented.

[@readyfortheworld9232]

You gotta love that only one person clapped when she finished - They were packed in the room like sardines and even her staff wants her gone. PRICELESS !"

[@johnsonnguyen3114]

I noticed several moments where she was pausing for sympathy....thinking she got everyone "emotionally" cant wait to see how this turns out!

[@mrffbmanagerguy6322]

so whats this woman guilty of? sorry i just happened to come across this video

[@user-de5td1jm7b]

Packed??? 😂😂😂 Barely anyone.😂😂😂

[@readyfortheworld9232]

@@user-de5td1jm7b her staff - !!!!!!!!!

[@JennyWren333]

Oakland has deteriorated under her watch. And her speech was pathetic, awful!

[@richardque4952]

She make matter even worse.

[@user-de5td1jm7b]

Oakland has been deteriorated a long time ago. For her to do her job, all these envious, pathetic, awful people need to stop the hate.😒

[@JennyWren333]

@@user-de5td1jm7b she's been missing in action since she began her j o b. Sorry, but she stinks and Oakland residents know it.

[@WBWLM]

Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely. All these politicians are out for their own. Every single one!!

[@darkmankind]

Nothing says leadership, like accepting accountability instead of blaming others.

[@lozensfire]

Should folks accept accountability if they don't do something?

[@THEhorihito]

​@@lozensfiredoes the FBI show up with a warrant at a sitting politician's house if they did nothing wrong?

[@darkmankind]

If folks didn't do anything wrong, they should say just that. All the extra babble is unnecessary; that's why the lawyer quit.

[@jeffreybrewer8649]

She's fried. Her press conference today was stunning desperation.

[@CristinadelaFuenteBSNRN]

Her response to the investigation is so shady. Her lack of effectiveness as a Mayor is also shady.

[@ryverchoy1370]

But that victim card is quite compelling 😂

[@Tubemint455]

Now go after newsome and pelosi!

[@heisenbergguy7772]

This ain’t about money girl! You ain’t poor!

[@teccec]

If she has knowledge of crimes by former city leaders perhaps as mayor she should have reported that knowledge to some agency…

[@RobiePezzos]

blah blah I’m a victim. she’s full of crap and now basically admitted to what’s going on trying to throw others under the bus. One finger pointed at others while three fingers are pointed right back.

[@spyder87]

Smart move by the lawyer

[@lalew2]

playing the victim card - surprised she did not blame trump - must be trumps fault

[@marcusgarvey6231]

the victim card is the trump card.

[@ShakespeareCafe]

Listen to your lawyer and keep the trap shut. He gone

[@johniwan1]

It's always about I was rich/poor/thin/fat/white/black/gay/straight and a thousand other things. But it's never about the fact that you suck at your job and need to be replaced.

[@donaldotrumpriguez2024]

We need a non Corruptocrat

[@thatlittlevoice6354]

FBI doesn't investigate incompetence in the workplace.

[@drive8892]

Maybe she was telling the truth that she is innocent. Remember this the fbi has not said she’s guilty so why don’t we just wait to see what’s the truth about it. AND you need to REALIZE that the people live in Oakland are the problem in the city. This people Generation after generation after generation and has not change. Maybe Sheng is doing her job and fired the people who didn’t do his job and these people are getting angry and saying crap about her. Just wait to see the truth and don’t be so quick to judge her.

[@elizabethjaworski3104]

​@@drive8892Is Trump innocent?

[@paolo-n2000]

Sheng Thao is an inept disaster...if she truly cares about the city....she will resign...

[@donaldotrumpriguez2024]

she can go back to Stockton if shes actually from there

[@gerrylee1687]

Smart lawyer. He knows she’s about to go down and she will take him down with her.

[@bobmarley3712]

Crazy how people are complaining about her when they wanted a woke person in leadership

[@aeromtb2468]

she playing victim like the feds need to let her know.

[@JesusChristIsReal1026]

He is no longer representing the mayor because there's too much heat. I could be wrong.

[@josephrice29]

We already have seen what the FBI does to lawyers who represent people they are after..... They gave Trump's lawyers Five months in jail when they wouldn't turn over what they wanted

[@scottishd0g87]

Don't let yourself get attached to anything you are not willing to walk out on in 30 seconds flat if you feel the heat around the corner.

[@MartinisnOlives]

@@scottishd0g87 Thanks, De Niro.

[@jacktran7024]

u r wrong.....jk

[@sharontabor7718]

He's not representing her because she'a rogue client. She hired him and part if his reponsitlibty is to provide advice and what to say and not say. You don't want to represent someone who destroys their own defense.

[@jamesneves8300]

" Vast Right wing conspiracy " Oakland Obviously is MAGA Country...

[@Nikowalker007]

😅😅😅

[@grimmettcleaningservices7003]

Exactly 😂🤣

[@Lora-G]

Oh stop with the nonsense. Oakland is suffering. NOT YOU‼️

[@user-or1yf9eb4t]

Democrats made already us Los Angeles, San Francisco like a 5 th world country thank u 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@mikecanul]

Yup - you’re welcome - don’t worry San Jose is next on deck! We got you boo!

[@Jimarceo]

It’s their agenda to bankrupt cities so millionaires can purchase everything and they want us to own nothing

[@georgegiorgio]

That’s what happens when you vote for DEMONRATS

[@marcusgarvey6231]

You scribble like a 3-4 year old toddler.

[@GnomesRox]

It's comments like these that are just so hilarious. Like making up terms like 5th world country, when these cities are actually some of the most desired places to live because of their economic power houses and cultural centers.

[@wmarino2]

What a wreck this state is. But yeah, just keep voting in the liberals.

[@jchfuture]

He knows he's not winning that case. She's guilty.

[@jjpenny1384]

Bowed out because it doesn't look good for her.

[@spankyharland9845]

he probably looked at the evidence and realize that this was not winning situation.

[@ulexite-tv]

Phil Matier is one sharp thinker. He nailed it, down to the definitions of terms. Thank you, Phil -- great job.

[@northshorelight35]

She was completely unprofessional. She deflected the entire time.

[@w6341]

She's going to pull THAT card, huh? Just throw her in jail already, sheesh...

[@bomorris5050]

She's playing the race card... she's done.

[@grimmettcleaningservices7003]

​@@forgiven7005O.J. Simpson . . . .

[@RobertGedeon-kc8ev]

Corruption at it's best . A vacation by a corporation smells fishy 🐟!!!

[@scottishd0g87]

Theyre all corrupt tho

[@tubefreeeasy]

What did she ever do for the city of Oakland?

[@davidjackson7281]

Create entertaining news from the start. Bravo!

[@chrischreative2245]

The people of Oakland got to prove they’re good people by electing the first blah, blah, blah….they’ll eject another dumpster fire after cause they won’t elect a conservative to clean things up.

[@jackievanburen9301]

She says she is "making the world better" but if Oakland is an example of her work......

[@pahouayang1063]

America everywhere is so crazy and suck as it is. Nobody can make this country better anymore. Best is to forget about helping city or the peoples now.

[@jepperjep84]

entertainingly messy

[@seanhealey6611]

Lmao he saw her spewing that aspiring cult leader in its last days victim narrative and got the hell out

[@user-zb3ij7qk7j]

She got caught not a victim

[@erockcooper746]

the lawyers are all about money, this one probably smell that her bank account and assets will be frozen for a while.

[@lizdahl847]

She had a great lawyer but decided to represent herself by holding a press conference with out consulting her legal counsel..its her way or the highway mentality😮😮

[@gerrylee1687]

@@lizdahl847 she didn’t listen to her lawyers advice.

[@transporterrepair8172]

I love how Thao is trying to divert the subject to people like Trump when she’s the real villain.

[@jay-t1030]

Lol that was fast 😂😂

[@KingzG2789]

Racism

[@hunterjones9822]

Rats abandoning the sinking ship....

[@Run1289]

This lady went to Berkeley, even though it’s in the UC System, UC Berkeley is equivalent to the IVY League schools, Stanford, and any other prestigious private and public universities!!!! UC Berkeley is one of the best universities in the country and it’s a so called prestigious university and it’s a privilege university. Alll the rich people go there or the poor minorities who get everything paid for go there. I went to a broke university where I paid for my education. This lady is spoiled and privileged!!!!!! She has it so easy!!!!!

[@Lora-G]

Oakland is suffering while she's just focused on this!

[@jsch9173]

Nice to see Mayor Thao, a Democrat, taking a page out of the GOP playbook. Defend, deflect and attack, and by all means play the victim. Dr. Samuel Johnson said it best: “Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel.” Her lawyer was probably wise to dump her.

[@georgegiorgio]

She blamed extreme right wing, seriously?

[@lauralopez130]

This woman needs to stop speaking what a liar and resign her post. Her speech sounds bitter because she got caught, and her innocence is questionable?

[@lnguyenmd]

She is crazy! Poor Oakland!

[@thisisallthereis]

The attorney was like: I'm out.

[@NuttbushCityLimits]

I guess she missed the "shut the F up" Friday meeting with her lawyer.

[@donnadea3081]

She's in over her head trying to manage Oakland.

[@kamalaharry9514]

Becoming a s politician has been known as the pathway to becoming a multi millionaire for a while.

[@Dreamer20239]

Looked like asking for sympathy. Wow..

[@donnadea3081]

I dislike that she is using the I am poor card.

[@ricodelavega4511]

this lady is in over her head, and intellectually way below what you would expect of Oakland. Its a dump, but its still just 4miles from Berkeley. As for Matier, it doesnt get any better among political reporters. He's a great pickup by abc bay area

[@usarc1521]

The FBI's public corruption program investigates violations of federal law by public officials at the federal, state, and local levels of government and oversees the nationwide investigation of allegations of fraud related to federal government procurement, contracts, and federally funded programs.

[@stephensulzer1384]

Don’t worry Oakland voters she’s still working remotely for you

[@reasonsunknown6707]

What sticks out to me about her speech is why would you feel the need to get your family safe after such a raid? As well as wondering who you can “ trust” , why would you have to trust anyone at this time ? The mistake of prioritizing that over addressing the public or advising your legal counsel of a speech at all. Is almost as worse as missing that deadline for the funding to actually help the city lol.

[@stanendo3537]

Who is this smart white guy. Let’s hear more from him.

[@robertoacevedo3805]

She tried a page out of Donald Trump's book. That's telling.

[@davidorlando5241]

She's diming other politicians out already!!

[@J.Sanity]

Even the snakes know when to bail the other snakes

[@mastercabbage]

Well that was quick.

[@richardque4952]

Why amanda price is not included in the recall ballot.

[@MrWalker114]

She good at playing her race and she learned that from who she is.

[@sonnyd.6777]

Ha, she blames FBI for political reasons. 😅 Blame games!

[@ubergoodair]

Based on what I have seen in Oakland, you are FIRED!!!!

[@bigdogbrown8106]

Everyone is distancing themselves around her..

[@henrykahr]

The fact that she went into hiding speaks volumes that she is guilty of some wrongdoing!!

[@jeanettemongeon3150]

Her lawyer knows she’s going to Jail

[@Ahzpayne]

The Michigan lawmaker who just chased a stripper down the road while firing his pistol in the air is trying that "How did the media get the story so fast? Must be a conspiracy" crap as well. Am I just supposed to pretend that instant communication hasn't been a thing more years of my 50 total on this earth than it hasn't been? And I would do this on your behalf simply because it's easier for you than acting ethically? 😐

[@Leo-bp5ns]

Her people have spoken!

[@rafaelrodrigues1173]

WHEN YOU ARE SMART AND YOU SEE FIRE 🔥REAL HOT FIRE WHAT YOU SUPPOSED TO DO RUN RUN

[@AR-ce7gy]

Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao is really Juntao!! Someone please call Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan!!🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@grimmettcleaningservices7003]

😂

[@KM-qk1oz]

He ain’t going down for racketeering

[@mikecanul]

Well if she goes down then all this just makes Fisher and the loss of the Oakland A’s in Oakland make sense in terms of how they can blame local politicians. This sucks all the way around

[@Bravonewyork]

‘’They are doing it and I’m getting raided cause of my lower millionaire class and my race’’ lmfaooo

[@talisayslim5481]

This wouldn't have happened if you weren't a friggin' thief.

Aunt Madea is the only one who can save Oakland.

[@dt6653]

This woman is a piece of work. I am surprised she hasn't claimed racism for the raid.

[@brianthedesertbum]

brooooooo that took no time for him to peace out....... she must be mixed up in some messy business!!!

[@celebrityrog]

This guy has a voice that sounds just like Bill Maher

[@aeromtb2468]

did she blame trump

[@cocobaconproductions]

Only a matter of time. They always seem to squeeze him in.

[@alwash9323]

Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law that's why he stepped out because he know they got something on her her ass is done get rid of her