Federal prosecutors have charged San Leandro Councilmember Bryan Azevedo with accepting bribes and making false statements to investigators. According to the filing, Azevedo used his status as an elected official in an attempt to obtain city contracts for the owners of a storage container housing company.
Mayor Juan González said in a video posted on social media platforms that the investigation is a private legal matter between Azevedo and the U.S. Department of Justice.
“The investigation involves allegedly illegal conduct connected to the potential purchase of shipping container housing by the city, but to be clear, the City of San Leandro never requested or even purchased any of these housing units,” said González.
The U. S. Attorney’s office says that an association controlled by the housing company owner paid Azevedo’s expenses for a 10-day trip to Vietnam, including business class airfare, hotel and meals. Afterwards, Azevedo then accepted a $2000 cash payment, which he deposited to “an LLC and bank account in his wife’s name for the purpose of receiving the bribery and kickback payments,” the indictment alleges.
Azevedo was absent during the Nov. 3 council meeting, but people still spoke about him during the public comment segment. “The mayor is calling this a personal matter, but it already appears visibly that it’s impacting his ability to serve. I did vote for Azevedo, and I’m concerned that if he continues to be quiet, absent, and that the legal issues are serving as a distraction, he needs to step down,” said one resident.
Others shared their support for Azevedo continuing his service as councilmember. “If you don’t like Bryan, then yes of course, he’s guilty. I believe in the legal principle that one is innocent until proven guilty. Kudos to the mayor for having put out a PSA about the situation and underscoring that precise thing,” said another resident.
In the video, González addressed people who want Azevedo to stop serving as councilmember. “The city council cannot remove Councilmember Azevedo from office. The San Leandro city charter, our city constitution, so to speak, preserves that authority with you, the voters,” he said.
Azevedo has served as a city councilmember since 2020. He has worked on events that include community clean ups and providing meals for those in need. He completed an apprenticeship with the Sheet Metal Workers in 2009 and is now a foreman where he manages a team of workers.
