Ismail J. Ramsey, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of California
OAKLAND – An indictment was unsealed today charging property developers David Sanson and Trent Sanson with conspiracy and bribery related to an alleged attempt to influence an Antioch City Councilmember. The indictment claims they offered $10,000 and later gave a travel mug containing $5,000 in cash for favorable project treatment. The Councilmember reported the incident to the FBI, leading to the initial court appearance of both defendants.
Filed on April 3, 2025, the indictment identifies David Sanson, 60, of Philipsburg, Montana, as the owner and CEO of a Concord, California-based company, with his son Trent Sanson, 33, of Walnut Creek, California, serving as Vice President. The company is involved in multiple projects in Antioch, including the Aviano project, a large residential development.
The indictment describes issues with infrastructure improvements required for Phase 3 of the Aviano project. The Antioch Engineering and Development Services Division had refused to approve the phase or release bonds until completion. It's alleged that Trent Sanson contacted the Councilmember via iMessage on May 29, 2024, seeking assistance with the issue.
A meeting on June 12, 2024, allegedly had Trent Sanson requesting the Councilmember to influence City Council decisions in favor of their project, offering a $10,000 bribe. On June 20, 2024, another meeting reportedly involved David Sanson providing $5,000 concealed in a company-branded mug to the Councilmember.
Acting United States Attorney Patrick D. Robbins stated, “This indictment alleges that the defendants tried to bribe an Antioch City Councilmember to take favorable action on their real estate project and to evade having to make the public infrastructure improvements that the City required."
“Attempting to bribe a public official is a blatant attack on the integrity of our government and the trust of the communities we serve,” commented FBI Special Agent in Charge Sanjay Virmani. The FBI will continue its efforts to tackle corruption involving public institutions.
The defendants are set for a status conference on June 12, 2025, with U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers. Both face two charges: one of conspiracy to commit bribery and another of bribery related to federal programs, with potential prison sentences of up to five and ten years, respectively.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas R. Green and Benjamin K. Kleinman lead the prosecution, which stemmed from an FBI investigation.
An indictment indicates alleged crimes, assuming innocence until any proven conviction. Convictions entail sentences informed by the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and federal statutes.
