Former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, her longtime partner and two local businessmen were named in an indictment unsealed Friday alleging the four conspired to funnel city business to companies owned by the men in exchange for money and benefits to Thao and her partner.

Thao has maintained her innocence and denied she is at the center of a public corruption scandal. She has largely laid low since being recalled in November.

SAN FRANCISCO — Former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao has been indicted on federal bribery charges stemming from an FBI investigation into an alleged payment scheme with a Bay Area trash hauler.