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 key players include recently-recalled Mayor Sheng Thao, her longtime boyfriend Andre Jones, and owners of a waste company that allegedly influenced local leaders behind closed doors.

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 on corruption charges.

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.

Former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao has been indicted on federal bribery charges stemming from an FBI investigation into an alleged payment scheme with a Bay Area trash hauler. Prosecutors allege that Thao promised the city would extend Oakland’s contract with a recycling company and purchase housing units from its politically-connected owners in exchange for financial benefits.