News Summary
Former Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do has been sentenced to five years in federal prison for a bribery scheme involving COVID-19 relief funds intended for senior meals. The case uncovered kickbacks linked to contracts awarded to a nonprofit during the pandemic. The upcoming hearing will determine restitution amount, while civil lawsuits seek to recover losses from the scheme. Rhiannon Do, Andrew’s daughter, faces scrutiny for her involvement, and other associates remain entangled in the ongoing investigation, affecting public trust in local governance.
Santa Ana – Former Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do has been sentenced to five years in federal prison for his role in a bribery scheme involving COVID-19 relief funds aimed at providing meals for needy seniors. The sentencing was handed down on Monday, and Do is expected to begin serving his sentence at the Federal Correctional Institution in Lompoc, Santa Barbara County, in late summer.
As part of the scheme, Do received kickbacks in connection with county contracts awarded to a nonprofit organization, the Viet America Society (VAS), which was intended to supply meals during the pandemic. This scandal was brought to light following a detailed investigation conducted by LAist and a subsequent inquiry by federal authorities.
Judge James Selna has scheduled a hearing for August 11 to decide the total amount of restitution Do must pay, which is estimated to range from $550,000 to $750,000. This amount will be reconsidered based on any new evidence presented prior to the sentencing. Both Andrew Do and his daughter, Rhiannon Do, will be held jointly liable for the restitution, which stems from the financial misconduct linked to the bribery scheme.
In addition to the restitution hearings, the Orange County government is pursuing civil lawsuits in San Diego Superior Court against Andrew Do and his alleged co-conspirators. The county aims to recover over $11 million in taxpayer funds that were lost due to the bribery scheme. The lawsuits specifically target the Viet America Society and the Hand to Hand Relief Organization, along with the individuals at the helm of these groups.
Rhiannon Do, who has come under scrutiny due to her association with the nonprofit, reportedly received monthly payments of $8,000 while attending law school and working with VAS. As part of her father’s plea agreement, she admitted to submitting a falsified mortgage application but has not faced any criminal charges and is currently on probation under a diversion agreement while she completes her law degree. However, she still may be implicated in fraud allegations connected to the county’s civil lawsuit.
In a broader context, Thanh Huong Nguyen, another associate involved in this scandal and co-defendant, has been arraigned and has pleaded not guilty to various charges, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Another figure linked to the case, Peter Anh Pham, who previously led VAS, is currently considered a fugitive after fleeing to Taiwan.
The investigation revealed that more than $10 million in contracts were improperly assigned to VAS by Andrew Do, with the bulk of the funds misappropriated and used to benefit himself and his associates instead of supporting the intended aid to seniors in need. Concerns have been raised regarding the implications of this corruption case on public trust in local government, highlighting the far-reaching effects of such misconduct on community welfare.
The upcoming hearing on August 11 is crucial, as it will ascertain the total restitution that Do will be required to repay, which is tied to the illicit gains obtained through the bribery scheme. Following his guilty plea, Andrew Do resigned from the Board of Supervisors, positioning himself to confront the repercussions of his actions and seek accountability for his misconduct within public service.
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Additional Resources
- CBS News: Ex Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do Sentenced
- Wikipedia: Bribery in the United States
- Los Angeles Times: Andrew Do Sentenced
- Google Search: Andrew Do bribery
- KTLA: Former O.C. Supervisor Do Sentenced
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Bribery
- Orange County Register: Former OC Supervisor Andrew Do Sentenced
- Google News: Former Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do
