Former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, her longtime partner and two local businessmen were named in an indictment unsealed Friday alleging the four conspired to funnel city business to companies owned by the men in exchange for money and benefits to Thao and her partner.

The appointment reflects a key component of the alleged conspiracy: to fill major city staff roles with people who could favor Thao’s campaign backers for heavy public funding.

Federal authorities on Friday morning announced details of an indictment against recalled Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, her boyfriend, and two members of the politically influential Duong family.

OAKLAND, CA – Former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao and her partner Andre Jones were indicted by a federal grand jury this week, confirmed the Mercury News and other news outlets Friday following a month long federal public corruption inquiry, occurring just before a recall election in which Thao was voted out of office.

Sheng Thao, who was recalled by voters in the California city in November, said last year that she had done nothing wrong. She pleaded not guilty to the charges on Friday.

The Duong Family owns Cal Waste Solutions, Oakland's recycling company, which also provides junk pick-up in San Jose, and an integrated waste management facility in their native Vietnam.

Oakland’s former Mayor Sheng Thao, her longtime romantic partner and the owners of a waste company were involved in a bribery scheme that influenced city government. The charges include conspiracy, bribery,

Thao has maintained her innocence and denied she is at the center of a public corruption scandal. She has largely laid low since being recalled in November.