Vietnam Waste Solutions speaks out about the information that Mr. David Duong was prosecuted

Vietnam Waste Solutions (VWS) under California Waste Solutions (CWS, USA) has just officially spoken out about information about the legal investigation related to CWS.

Specifically, the company said that since mid-2024, many US media agencies have reported a number of allegations related to CWS, such as the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) searching a number of locations in the country related to CWS and members of the company.

Most recently, on January 16, the US media reported that Ms. Sheng Thao, former Mayor of Oakland City (California), was prosecuted. Previously, some unofficial information said that the legal actions against Ms. Sheng Thao were related to a number of individuals and organizations related to the Oakland government, including CWS.

Since then, the prosecution of Ms. Sheng Thao has sparked some unofficial speculations about CWS. These speculations have taken place in the context of American politics in general, which is having many complicated developments during the transition period, and Oakland City in particular, which has recently had fierce competition and great political pressure.

Press release from Vietnam Waste Solutions (VWS), part of California Waste Solutions (CWS, USA) - the company of "trash king" David Duong

"Therefore, we would like to affirm that throughout the investigation process, CWS has fully cooperated and complied with legal regulations to clarify issues related to the case, while protecting the prestige and reputation that CWS has built over the past 3 decades.

We once again affirm that CWS always ensures the principles of integrity, especially in the context of US politics that continuously have remarkable developments" - the company's press release stated.

In the press release, the "trash king" company also emphasized that in Vietnam, VWS's operations are completely independent from CWS's operations in the US. VWS always ensures integrity, complies with local government regulations and is recognized for its many contributions to the country's development. Therefore, CWS's legal issues in the US do not have any impact on VWS in Vietnam.

Previously, the indictment announced by the US Federal Court on January 17 also charged Mr. Andre Jones, Ms. Sheng Thao's longtime boyfriend, and business owner Andy Duong with the same crime.

U.S. Attorney Patrick D. Robbins said the suspects used bribery, fraud and other illegal acts to manipulate and influence local government in Oakland.

"The defendants knowingly negotiated deals knowing that Thao and Jones would accept bribes to allow Duong's family to receive city government business contracts," CNN quoted prosecutor Robbins as saying.

Vietnamese-American "trash king" David Duong (center) and leaders of California Waste Solutions. Photo: CWS

The indictment alleges that Vietnamese-American businessman David Duong and business owner Andy Duong agreed to pay Mr. Jones $300,000 directly under the guise of “no-work” work. The agreement netted Mr. Jones a total of about $95,000.

Attorney Winston Chan, who represents defendant Andy Duong, said his client did not commit the acts as accused. He also emphasized that the prosecution is "the latest example of the Asian American community being treated unfairly and paying a price for daring to participate in politics" in the United States.

The move comes after the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) raided the homes of Mayor Sheng Thao and businessman David Duong in June 2024. US media reported at the time that the FBI appeared to be investigating corruption allegations against the Oakland mayor and some of her supporters.

Sheng Thao, 38, took office as Oakland mayor in January 2023, after serving on the city council. She faced harsh criticism shortly after taking office for firing popular Oakland Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong.

Ms. Sheng Thao lost her position in the November 2024 election.

Businessman David Duong is nicknamed "king of trash" because he is the leader of recycling company CWS.

In 2020, US media reported that CWS was investigated regarding contributions to Ms. Thao and other Oakland City officials.