CONCORD — The FBI raided the home of the influential and often-victorious political consultant Mary Jo Rossi, drawing immediate speculation as to which — if any — of her many friends in politics might also be involved in the criminal probe.
The FBI raid on Rossi’s home on Thornwood Drive in Concord came Thursday. An FBI spokeswoman would confirm only that the agency served a search warrant there, not what they seized or why, stating that it was part of an “ongoing investigation.” No other related raids were conducted Thursday, FBI spokeswoman Cameron Polan said.
“I can’t say anything else at this time,” Polan said.
Rossi could not be reached for comment.
Rossi is prolific in Bay Area politics, having served in high-ranking staff or consulting roles for Contra Costa Supervisor Candace Andersen, former Contra Costa Supervisor Federal Glover, Contra Costa Sheriff David Livingston and state Assemblymember Willie Brown, who later became mayor of San Francisco.
She has a reputation of making winners out of candidates, even if it means drawing controversy for using aggressive tactics in the process.
In recent years, she has consulted for police officer unions, homebuilders and a major garbage-handling company, Mt. Diablo Resource Recovery, which is operated by the influential Garaventa family of Contra Costa.
In January, Rossi appeared to have distanced herself from the Garaventas’ business, alleging in emails to reporters and state Assemblymember Ana Marie Avila Farias, D-Concord, that misconduct by the company’s officials had gone ignored.
With a penchant for representing controversial figures — another of her recent clients, the Seeno family of land developers, has fought numerous environmental lawsuits — Rossi has earned a reputation as among the most well-connected political insiders in the Contra Costa County’s mostly suburban central region.
Rossi’s work on campaigns is unapologetically fierce, often involving attack mailers and cutting press statements, though she is also known for her frequent lunches and longstanding friendships with local politicians.
Still, a handful of current and former elected officials in the region hadn’t heard anything about the FBI raid when reached Friday for comment.
“I’ve known Mary Jo for years,” Contra Costa Supervisor Ken Carlson said in an interview. “This is absolutely shocking.”
The raids come at a time where the FBI appears to be combing through neighboring Alameda County politics for potential corruption involving waste management. A series of federal raids last year resulting in a bribery and money laundering case against Oakland’s former mayor, Sheng Thao, her longtime partner Andre Jones, and the father/son duo who own California Waste Solutions, Andy and David Duong.
The Oakland case appears to be sprawling, with FBI raids and subpoenas in San Leandro suggesting the agency is probing the company’s contracts with city government there. Agents raided the home of a San Leandro City Councilman in January.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
