Embattled Oakland mayor’s spokesman quits after recall campaign qualifies for ballot, FBI raid: report

It’s been a rough week for Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao.

Last week, a recall campaign to remove her from office qualified for the November ballot. Less than 24 hours later, the FBI raided her home. On Monday, her lawyer abruptly resigned. And on Tuesday, her chief spokesman resigned.

Francis Zamora confirmed to KTVU on Tuesday that he has resigned as head of communications.

“I thank my colleagues for their professionalism and dedication. It has been an honor to serve the city of Oakland alongside them,” Zamora wrote in an email to the station.

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Zamora will be replaced by Pati Navalta, who will serve as interim communications director until Mayor Thao finds a permanent replacement.

Fox News Digital reached out to the mayor’s office to inquire about the timing of Zamora’s departure, but did not hear back by press time.

His departure came a day after Thao addressed the recall campaign and subsequent FBI raid during a news conference. The mayor was defiant that he had done nothing wrong.

“I want to be very clear. I did nothing wrong,” Thao said, reading prepared remarks from the podium. “I can tell you with confidence that this investigation is not about me. I have not been charged with a crime and I am confident that I will not be charged with a crime because I am innocent.”

Later that day, her attorney, Tony Brass, resigned because the mayor conducted the press conference without informing him.

Last Thursday, FBI agents removed boxes from the home she shares with her son and partner as part of an investigation that included searches of two other homes owned by another family.

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The raid came after supporters of a mayoral recall were told by the city clerk that they had collected enough signatures to qualify for the ballot, likely in November.

Supporters of the recall say public safety and economic vitality have worsened under the politically progressive mayor and that she should not have fired Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.