Oakland & The Sheng Thao Trial: Why Transparency In The Coliseum AASEG / Loop Capital Deal Matters Oakland & The Sheng Thao Trial: Why Transparency In The Coliseum AASEG / Loop Capital Deal Matters Oakland is now watching the federal trial of former Mayor Sheng Thao, where prosecutors allege that public power was traded for private benefits. Thao and her co-defendants have pleaded not guilty, and the jury has to determine what the evidence proves. I want to make something clear: I am not saying the Loop Capital and Coliseum matter is connected to the criminal charges against Sheng Thao. I have no evidence establishing that connection. But this trial makes a fundamental question about Oakland government especially important: How does the public know that decisions involving public money, public contracts and public property are being made transparently and in the public interest? Here is the issue I want Oakland to address. Loop Capital Markets, LLC was identified as a ...