News Summary
Former Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do has been sentenced to five years in prison for his role in a bribery scheme involving COVID-19 relief funds. The scheme resulted in unauthorized kickbacks worth $868,612 from contracts intended for aiding the community during the pandemic. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is also pursuing nearly $900,000 in restitution from Do, while further investigations are looking into the legitimacy of payments made to his daughter linked to a nonprofit. This scandal has shaken public trust in local governance.
Orange County’s Dark Chapter: Former Supervisor Andrew Do Sentenced for Bribery
In a startling turn of events, Orange County has found itself at the center of a corruption scandal that many residents are struggling to fathom. Former Supervisor Andrew Do has been sentenced to a staggering five years in prison due to his involvement in a bribery scheme tied to COVID-19 relief funds. It’s a case that serves as a stark reminder of how public trust can be shattered in the blink of an eye.
How Did We Get Here?
Andrew Do, during his tenure, was responsible for overseeing several county contracts, but what was meant to provide much-needed aid to the community instead turned into a series of illegal kickbacks amounting to $868,612. This money was not pocket change; it was part of contracts worth over $10 million, including funds meant for essential meals for our elderly citizens during one of the toughest times in recent history—the COVID-19 pandemic. Talk about losing sight of the mission!
The Financial Fallout
As if the situation couldn’t get any worse, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has proposed that Do repay nearly $900,000 in restitution for the kickbacks he received. The exact figure requested stands at $878,230.80. Mark your calendars, folks, as a hearing is set for August 11 to nail down the final restitution amount that is expected to go back to the county.
But wait, there’s more! Do’s legal team is not backing down without a fight. Their proposal aims to slash the restitution amount to $802,692. Their rationale? They claim that the money is due to his daughter, Rhiannon Do, for her work with a nonprofit organization linked to the case. Rhiannon reportedly earned around $8,000 a month while working for the Viet America Society (VAS), racking up a total of $224,000 between September 2021 and February 2024.
Questions Raised Over Legitimacy
Now enters a cloud of skepticism. Prosecutors are raising eyebrows over the legitimacy of Rhiannon’s contributions. Why? Well, she was reportedly a full-time law student with limited prior experience. It raises a lot of questions, especially when you consider that she was receiving a hefty salary funded by her father’s alleged illicit dealings.
In further developments, it has come to light that VAS, which benefited significantly from county funds, allocated only about 15% of the funding—around $1.4 million—straight to actual meal delivery for seniors. The rest? Well, it appears those taxpayer dollars were diverted to cover other expenses and pay off co-conspirators instead. It’s hard not to feel a sense of betrayal at such revelations.
Where Are They Now?
Peter Pham, the founder of VAS, has been slapped with multiple charges including bribery and money laundering. However, he’s currently considered a fugitive. As for Andrew Do, he must report to the federal prison in Lompoc, Santa Barbara County, by August 15 to begin serving his sentence.
Liability and Ongoing Civil Suit
But this saga doesn’t end with Do’s prison term. Rhiannon Do is also facing the music, as she is jointly liable for the restitution in her father’s case, not to mention accusations of fraud in a pending civil lawsuit. The county’s civil suit against both Andrew and Rhiannon Do, along with other alleged co-conspirators, is still in the works. The outcome remains uncertain as the community and its leaders advocate against what they describe as an insufficient restitution amount compared to the millions allegedly siphoned away.
A Lesson for the Community
Ultimately, this situation serves as a heartbreaking lesson on what happens when public officials prioritize personal gain over the welfare of their constituents. The trust of Orange County’s residents has been shaken to its core, and many are left wondering what it will take to restore faith in their public servants. It’s a tough road ahead for both the local community and those involved.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Aloha Financial Sues Andrew Do and Daughter for $15 Million
Aloha Financial Investment Inc. Sues Andrew Do for $15 Million
Tustin Home Linked to Corruption Scheme Seized by U.S. Government
Orange County’s Pandemic Fund Scandal: Viet America Society in Hot Water
Orange County’s COVID-19 Testing Partner Under Investigation
Former Orange County Supervisor Sentenced in Bribery Case
Former Orange County Supervisor Faces Sentencing in Bribery Scandal
Santa Ana Stunned by COVID-Relief Fraud Indictments
Andrew Do’s Transformative Volunteering Journey
Orange County Bribery Scandal Shakes Political Landscape
Additional Resources
- LAist: Government Asks Disgraced Former Orange County Supervisor to Pay Back Nearly $900,000
- Wikipedia: Bribery
- OC Register: Prosecutors Want Former OC Supervisor to Pay $878,000 in Restitution
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Corruption
- NBC Los Angeles: Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do Bribery
- Google News: Andrew Do Bribery
- CBS News: Ex-Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do 5 Years Prison for Bribery
- Google Search: Orange County Supervisor Corruption
