By Vanguard Staff
OAKLAND, Calif. — Former Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price is calling for renewed scrutiny of allegations made against her by Oakland businessman Mario Juarez after he acknowledged knowingly writing bad checks and keeping money intended for a printing company during testimony in the federal corruption trial of former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao.
Price, who was recalled by voters in November 2024, said Juarez’s admissions raise questions about his credibility and the handling of the criminal charges against him, which were dismissed after she left office.
Juarez previously alleged that Price solicited a $25,000 campaign contribution in connection with his criminal prosecution. Price has consistently denied the accusation.
The allegation received extensive media coverage during the campaign to remove Price from office and became part of the broader controversy surrounding her administration.
Now, testimony in an unrelated federal corruption trial has brought renewed attention to Juarez’s business dealings and his previous statements.
During cross-examination in the trial of Thao and three co-defendants, Juarez acknowledged that he knowingly issued a bad check to Butterfly Direct Marketing, an Oakland printing company hired to produce campaign mailers during the 2022 mayoral election.
According to ABC7 News, Juarez also acknowledged keeping money that should have been used to pay the printer.
The admissions concerned transactions that led to criminal charges against Juarez in Alameda County.
Prosecutors had accused him of issuing approximately $53,600 in bad checks connected to political mailers supporting Thao’s mayoral campaign.
The charges were dismissed in February 2025 after Price’s successor, District Attorney Ursula Jones Dickson, took office.
At the time, Juarez had alleged that Price pursued the prosecution in retaliation for his refusal to make a $25,000 contribution to her campaign against the recall.
Price denied the allegation, maintaining that she never solicited money from Juarez in exchange for dismissing criminal charges.
The dismissal followed arguments from Juarez’s defense concerning the handling of his prosecution. His attorneys also challenged whether prosecutors could establish the intent necessary to prove check fraud.
The court’s dismissal did not establish that Juarez’s allegation against Price was true.
In a statement issued Nov. 11, Price said the testimony should prompt renewed examination of the allegations that circulated during her recall campaign.
“I denied Juarez’s allegation from the beginning. I never solicited a $25,000 payment from Mario Juarez in exchange for dismissing criminal charges. It did not happen,” Price said.
“Now, in open court, the public is hearing Juarez acknowledge his own conduct. He admitted that he knew the checks he wrote would bounce and that he took money intended to pay a printer for himself.”
Price argued that the original accusations had political consequences and that those who publicized them should give comparable attention to Juarez’s testimony.
“The allegations against me were politically consequential. They dominated headlines and became part of the case made for my removal from office,” she said.
Price also questioned the decision by the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office to dismiss the check-related charges.
“Juarez’s admissions also raise questions about why my successor in the District Attorney’s Office chose to dismiss the charges against Juarez rather than pursue accountability for the conduct he has now described under oath,” she said.
Juarez is currently a cooperating witness for federal prosecutors in the corruption case against Thao, her former partner Andre Jones, and recycling executives David and Andy Duong.
He has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bribery and is testifying under a cooperation agreement with federal prosecutors.
The four defendants have pleaded not guilty.
During cross-examination, defense attorneys challenged Juarez’s credibility, questioning him about his business history, financial dealings and statements to investigators.
In addition to acknowledging the bad checks, Juarez admitted surrendering his real estate license after allegations involving a falsified lease and acknowledged other financial misconduct.
His testimony is central to the government’s allegations that Thao and others participated in a bribery scheme involving political contributions and prospective city contracts.
The admissions concerning his business dealings do not independently establish that his separate allegations against Price were false. They do, however, provide additional information about the credibility of a witness whose statements became politically significant during the 2024 recall.
Price said the media and political figures who repeated Juarez’s accusations should revisit their earlier coverage.
“The media and local bloggers were quick to amplify his allegations. Now they each have an obligation to give the public the same level of attention to the facts that have emerged in court,” she said.
“I am not asking for special treatment. I am asking for the same standard of fairness and accountability that every person deserves under our justice system.”
Price said the controversy had consequences extending beyond her political career.
“Political opponents should not be able to turn an unverified accusation into a public verdict. And the press should never confuse an allegation with proof,” she said.
“My reputation, my career and the confidence of voters were all affected by an accusation that was never established as true. Accountability must apply to everyone, including those who use the criminal justice system and the media to advance their own interests.”
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