OAKLAND — The long-awaited federal indictment revealed secrets and named names, with one notable exception.

At the center of many crimes of corruption allegedly perpetrated by Oakland’s recent mayor is an unindicted “Co-Conspirator 1.” The four defendants are David and Andy Duong, the father-and-son team behind a company called California Waste Solutions, as well as ex-mayor Sheng Thao and her longtime partner, Andre Jones.

The unnamed co-conspirator acted as a catalyst for alleged bribery and fraud schemes, including a pay-to-play arrangement that helped Thao win election in the first place, according to prosecutors.

But the person’s identity may not be such a mystery; the allegations spelled out conform with much of what is known about Mario Juarez, a longtime Oakland political operative and behind-the-scenes consultant who has said he got into business with alleged fraudster Andy Duong because of his longtime dream to house the homeless.

A two-time failed City Council candidate, Juarez was long thought to be cooperating with the federal investigators. Last June, just 11 days before the FBI raided Thao, the Duongs, and Jones in a pre-planned operation, Juarez survived an attempt on his life when gunmen showed up, made noise until he stepped outside his Oakland residence, then opened fire.

Juarez was not injured by the men who fired at him, prompting him to return fire with his own legally-owned pistol, but the disturbing incident prompted authorities to rush the June raids, according to multiple sources with firsthand knowledge of the investigation.

A politico from his teen years, Juarez has formed relationships — some good, some bad — with many local politicians. He has also faced criminal charges in the past, but unlike many who brush up against the justice system, he has won the case every time, so far.

He also appears to have been at the center of unflattering mailers targeting Loren Taylor — Thao’s biggest opponent — and fellow mayoral candidate Ignacio De La Fuente mere days before the November 2022 election. Those mailers are now a key portion of the evidence in the indictment against Thao, Jones, and the Duongs, as prosecutors allege that the group made an unsavory agreement before Thao even took office.

Juarez also partnered with the Duongs to co-found Evolutionary Homes, a company named in the FBI’s subpoenas that sought to turn shipping containers into high-end cottages for homeless families.

The indictment refers to Co-Conspirator 1 as “an active member of the Oakland political community and a local businessman” who founded and co-owned a company that developed “prefabricated modular homes for unsheltered individuals.” This businessman later discussed with Andy Duong a pledge from Thao to buy 100 units for $30 million if she became mayor, the indictment says.

This agreement was made on Oct. 7, 2022, prosecutors allege. But there was one catch.

“Under that arrangement, Thao agreed to take these steps and official acts in exchange for various benefits to Thao” including the negative mailer campaign, the indictment says.

A recent court filing claimed Juarez received $295,000 around the election from the Duongs and another city contractor, all in an effort to get Thao elected and ensure the companies continued receiving lucrative government contracts. Juarez was charged in state court with bouncing checks to pay for the mailers, and his lawyer has responding with court filings calling the case politically motivated and on the verge of collapse. A court hearing has been set for February.

The two had a falling out in spring 2024 after Duongs accused Juarez of bilking the family out of their $1 million investment in the company. Each side later accused the other of assault during a May 3 confrontation at the company’s business headquarters at 1211 Embarcadero. Juarez accused the Duongs of robbing him during the encounter, but for some reason seemed unable to get local police to take an interest.

On the eve of the indictments, Juarez posted to social media a picture of a peaceful scene: Himself on a large motorboat, a silver watch on his wrist, with a yellow and orange sun slowly setting on the horizon behind him.

“Two fingers up, time on my wrist, and life in my hands,” the caption read. “No stress, just vibes.”