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Former Orange County Supervisor Volunteering After Scandal

Underprivileged children enjoying sailing lessons at the maritime institute, fostering skills and community engagement.

News Summary

Andrew Do, a former Orange County Supervisor, is volunteering at the Los Angeles Maritime Institute after pleading guilty to federal bribery charges. Do is dedicating time to teach sailing to underprivileged children while awaiting sentencing. His legal troubles stem from accepting bribes and misusing COVID-19 relief funds, causing harm to vulnerable populations. Do’s volunteering efforts have sparked discussions about accountability and ethics in public service, as he attempts to rehabilitate his image and address his past actions.

Los Angeles, CA – Andrew Do, a former Orange County Supervisor, has reemerged in public life as a volunteer at the Los Angeles Maritime Institute (LAMI), following a significant legal scandal. Do, who pleaded guilty to a federal bribery charge last year, has been teaching sailing to underprivileged children and occasionally helping out in the kitchen at the institute. His volunteer work comes as he prepares for sentencing on June 9, where prosecutors are seeking the maximum penalty for his crimes.

Do’s involvement with the maritime institute was uncovered through recent court filings, which indicated he has been dedicating approximately 20 hours a week to the organization. Jonah Warshay, a captain at LAMI, confirmed that Do volunteers several times a month, highlighting his positive demeanor and commitment to the children despite being unaware of Do’s criminal past. The programs at the institute serve around 7,000 children, primarily from low-income areas, with over 90% identifying as people of color.

The former supervisor faces serious charges stemming from his time in office. He was accused of accepting $550,000 in bribes and directing over $10 million in COVID-19 relief funds to a nonprofit connected to his family, particularly his daughter. Prosecutors argue that these actions have had devastating effects on vulnerable populations, resulting in harm such as food insecurity and deteriorating health conditions. Do’s alleged conduct included a lack of transparency in awarding contracts, which prompted a federal investigation, ultimately leading to his resignation and subsequent guilty plea.

As part of his defense, Do’s legal team has argued that he was not fully aware of the implications of his actions and claimed he was “willfully blinded” to the violations. His attorneys have pointed out that he is taking steps to make amends, as evidenced by his volunteering efforts at the maritime institute. Bruce Heyman, the executive director of LAMI, has praised Do, asserting that he possesses an “unwavering ethical compass,” and described him as a fair and moral individual.

In the legal fallout from Do’s actions, one of his daughters, Rhiannon Do, has accepted a deal to enter a federal diversion program. Court documents indicate that Andrew Do’s actions reflect a prolonged attempt to avoid accountability, as he reportedly utilized personal relationships to obscure his misconduct.

Do previously served as a member of the Orange County Board of Supervisors, representing District 1, which includes the cities of Garden Grove and Westminster. Prosecutors noted that while he publicly championed programs aimed at assisting needy seniors, he was simultaneously ensuring personal gains from the funds allocated to these initiatives. He allegedly tried to disguise bribes by routing them through the nonprofit affiliated with his daughter and relatives.

As Do awaits his upcoming sentencing, his recent volunteer efforts, framed as a means of rehabilitation, continue to spark discussions about accountability and ethics in public service. The impact of his previous actions casts a shadow over his attempts at redemption, as the court considers the serious nature of his violations and their repercussions on the community he once served.