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.

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.

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.