Former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao made her latest appearance in federal court on Friday, where US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers told prosecutors to limit their evidence exhibits from 1,700 down to 300 in the ongoing FBI bribery and corruption case against her.

As ABC 7 reports, the ruling came during a three hour session that saw prosecutors and defense attorneys spar over what evidence a jury should be allowed to hear and see. The options are reportedly legion, including hours of cellphone video, text messages, computer data, and more.

To that end, prosecutors had hoped to have as many as 1,700 exhibits to help make their case against Thao and her co-defendants, which include father-and-son David and Andy Duong of California Waste Solutions.

Collectively, they stand accused of conducting a scheme involving bribery and corruption that also included the participation of Thao's romantic partner, Andre Jones. Judge Rogers decided that 1,700 pieces of evidence was too many, and instead, asked the prosecution to shave down its total number of exhibits to 300 — before ultimately capitulating to 500.

That's what the government lawyers will have to work with as they attempt to prove charges that the Duongs bribed Thao and Jones in relation to a company called Evolutionary Homes that purported to repurpose shipping containers into shelter space for the unhoused.

As SFist previously reported, Mario Juarez — a partner in Evolutionary Homes who prosecutors say served as a "straw donor" funneling money from the Duongs to Thao's election campaign — has already pleaded guilty and is expected to testify on the prosecution's behalf as a star witness in their case against the Duongs, Thao, and Jones.

Prior to that, in 2024, Juarez had his home shot up just days before the FBI raided then-Mayor Sheng Thao's home in addition to raids on the homes and business of David and Andy Duong.

In April, SFist also reported on a ruling rejecting Thao and her co-defendants' request to remove evidence related to the case that they claim was obtained illegally. At present, the trial is expected to commence in October.

Related: Feds Reveal New Allegations Against Former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao as Informant Takes Guilty Plea

Image: Sheng Thao speaks onstage at the TAAF Heritage Month Summit at The Glasshouse on May 02, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by JP Yim/Getty Images for The Asian American Foundation)