News Summary
Former Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do has been sentenced to repay nearly $900,000 in bribes received during his time in office. Sentenced to five years in prison, Do’s defense is contesting the restitution amount. The case also involves scrutiny over his daughter’s employment at a nonprofit that received county funding. With public outcry for justice and accountability, the upcoming federal hearing will address these complex legal issues surrounding misappropriated funds aimed at community services.
Santa Ana, California – Former Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do has been ordered to repay nearly $900,000 in bribes as part of his sentencing for bribery-related charges while serving in office. Sentenced to five years in prison in June, Do received a total of $868,612 in kickbacks during his tenure from county contracts that were meant to fund essential services.
U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli has indicated in court documents that the restitution amount is a priority for recovery, but Do’s defense team has filed a motion to lower the repayment amount to $802,692. They argue this figure accounts for deductions related to work performed by Do’s daughter, Rhiannon Do, for one of the organizations that received county funding. A federal hearing is scheduled for August 11 to finalize the restitution amount, which is intended to be returned to Orange County.
Complicating the situation further, Rhiannon Do has been under scrutiny for her employment at a nonprofit organization that received significant funding from the county. Critics have raised concerns about the legitimacy of her role and the ethical implications, especially in the wake of her father’s legal troubles. In a disconcerting turn of events, the Viet America Society, a key recipient of the misappropriated money, reportedly allocated only 15% of its funding to actual meal services while diverting the remainder for other expenses unrelated to its mission. This organization has come under fire as its founder, Peter Pham, faces criminal charges and is currently a fugitive.
Many in the community, including local officials, argue that the proposed restitution amount is significantly lower than it should be, given that more than $10 million was misappropriated from funds designated for meals for elderly individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic. This has led to growing public outcry for higher restitution, emphasizing the impact of Do’s actions on the vulnerable populations that depended on these programs.
Further legal complexities arise from Rhiannon Do’s situation. She may be held accountable as a co-participant in the alleged fraud linked to her father’s activities, and legal experts note that she could also face liability for the restitution claims. Under existing laws, Andrew Do is likely to be responsible for the total losses incurred by the conspiracy, which raises questions about the potential enforcement of recovery efforts aimed at the full misappropriated amount.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office has clarified that the restitution being sought focuses primarily on the direct benefits received by Do rather than the totality of the funds misappropriated from the program. This has stirred controversy, given the larger context of financial mismanagement and the significant public trust lost as a result of the criminal actions involved.
As federal investigations into the matter continue, several co-conspirators have also been charged with offenses related to wire fraud, bribery, and money laundering. The ongoing legal proceedings reflect an effort to address the broader network of corruption and restore accountability in government operations that serve the community.
Public sentiment is increasingly pushing for a complete recovery of the misappropriated funds, highlighting the need for justice for the communities affected by these breaches of trust. The outcomes of the upcoming hearings and investigations will play a critical role in determining the extent of financial restitution and accountability within the Orange County political landscape.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Federal Judge Orders Forfeiture of $2.4 Million in Corruption Case
Andrew Do Sentenced for COVID-19 Relief Funds Bribery
Former Orange County Supervisor Sentenced for Bribery
Additional Resources
- LAist: Government Asks Disgraced Former Orange County Supervisor to Pay Back Nearly $900,000
- OC Register: Prosecutors Want Former OC Supervisor to Pay $878,000 in Restitution
- CBS News: Ex-Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison for Bribery
- NBC Los Angeles: Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do Bribery Case
- Wikipedia: Bribery
- Google Search: Andrew Do
