San Leandro Council Member Charged in East Bay Corruption Case to Retire Before Hearing

Bryan Azevedo will step down a day before he is scheduled to change his plea in federal corruption case linked to recalled Oakland mayor Sheng Thao.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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San Leandro City Council Member Bryan Azevedo, who is facing federal charges related to an alleged scheme to help a housing company win city contracts in exchange for kickbacks, will retire from his post effective Tuesday, the day before he is scheduled to change his plea in the case.

Why it matters

The East Bay corruption scandal has ensnared several elected officials, raising concerns about transparency and accountability in local government. Azevedo's retirement ahead of a key hearing in his case adds to the ongoing fallout from the broader investigation.

The details

Federal prosecutors charged Azevedo in October with two felonies related to what they described as a scheme to help a housing company, identified as Evolutionary Homes, win city contracts in exchange for kickbacks. Azevedo is the second East Bay elected official to face charges related to Evolutionary Homes, which was a key element of the bribery case against recalled Oakland mayor Sheng Thao, who was indicted last year alongside her partner Andre Jones and the company's co-owners, David and Andy Duong.

  • Azevedo was first elected to the San Leandro City Council in November 2020.
  • Azevedo was charged by federal prosecutors in October 2026.
  • Azevedo will retire from his post effective Tuesday, February 11, 2026.
  • Azevedo was scheduled to change his plea in the federal corruption case on Wednesday, February 12, 2026.

The players

Bryan Azevedo

A San Leandro City Council Member who is facing federal charges linked to the East Bay corruption scandal.

Sheng Thao

The recalled former mayor of Oakland who was indicted last year alongside her partner Andre Jones and the co-owners of Evolutionary Homes, a company at the center of the bribery case.

David Duong

A co-owner of Evolutionary Homes, the housing company at the center of the East Bay corruption scandal.

Andy Duong

A co-owner of Evolutionary Homes, the housing company at the center of the East Bay corruption scandal.

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What’s next

The judge in Azevedo's case will decide whether to accept his change of plea on Wednesday, February 12, 2026.

The takeaway

Azevedo's retirement ahead of a key hearing in his federal corruption case is the latest development in the ongoing East Bay scandal, which has eroded public trust in local government and highlighted the need for stronger oversight and accountability measures.