Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do has agreed to plead guilty to conspiracy to commit bribery and has also agreed to resign from the Board of Supervisors, effective today, October 22, 2024. This significant development was announced at a press conference by a coalition of federal and local law enforcement officials, including US Attorney Martin Estrada, Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer, FBI Special Agent in Charge Ted Docks, and IRS Acting Special Agent in Charge Linda Nguyen. The announcement highlights a serious breach of public trust concerning taxpayer funds in Orange County.
A substantial sum of $2.4 million in misappropriated taxpayer money has already been recovered from various bank accounts as a result of the investigation. Prosecutors provided specific details regarding $9.3 million in taxpayer funds that were allocated via COVID-19 contracts, which Mr. Do directed. During their press conference, prosecutors explicitly stated that only a small fraction, 15%, of these vital funds reached individuals who genuinely needed them. The overwhelming majority, 85%, was instead diverted to further the conspiracy and to make bribe payments, impacting the community directly. Investigators have diligently traced approximately $700,000 in bribe payments directly to the Do family, underscoring the scope of the alleged scheme.
As a critical component of his plea agreement, Mr. Do is required to forfeit two specific properties. These properties, located in Santa Ana and Tustin, were acquired using the proceeds from the illicit funds. Furthermore, the agreement stipulates that Mr. Do must forfeit any pension credits he accrued since June 2020, the identified period when the conspiracy began. These forfeitures aim to recover assets obtained through the misuse of public resources.
In a related development, Mr. Do’s daughter, Rhiannon Do, has been offered a diversion agreement by prosecutors. This agreement is contingent upon her full cooperation in the case and the forfeiture of all illicit gains she obtained. The investigation detailed how the misappropriated money was spent beyond real estate purchases. Funds were distributed through indirect payments to Mr. Do’s daughters, transactions made via an American Express card, payments covering Mr. Do’s property taxes on multiple properties, and numerous cash withdrawals from ATMs. Such expenditures illustrate a pattern of personal enrichment using public monies.
Responding to inquiries from reporters about the possibility of additional prosecutions, US Attorney Estrada and District Attorney Spitzer affirmed that the investigation remains actively ongoing. This indicates that further developments in the case could emerge, as authorities continue to pursue all individuals responsible for the misuse of these taxpayer resources. The community awaits further clarity on this unfolding situation.
