On Tuesday, September 10, the Orange County Board of Supervisors removed Andrew Do, the first district supervisor, from the boards of the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) and several county committees. The reason for this action was his daughter’s involvement in a non-profit corruption case, with some of the organization’s funds coming from discretionary funds in Do’s office.
According to City News Service (CNS), Andrew Do was removed from the following committees: the National Association of Counties, the Orange County Community Corrections Partnership, the Orange County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, the Orange County Emergency Management Council, and the South Coast Air Quality Management District.
Do was absent from the county supervisor meeting on Tuesday and refused to comment to CNS.
Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley pointed out that the board could not dismiss Do, as that decision would be up to California authorities. She said, “Unfortunately, we had to do this (remove Do) because he (Do) refused to resign.” The board hopes Do will resign as he failed to fulfill his duties and was involved in a corruption scandal.
Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento also called for Do’s resignation, stating, “We did this deliberately because we understand the issues facing Do and his office.”
Sarmiento proposed condemning Andrew Do at the Tuesday board meeting, but ultimately postponed the motion to allow other supervisors a deeper understanding of the issue. He said, “Removing (Do) from these committees and the OCTA board is a key step in demonstrating transparency.”
Do’s daughter Rhiannon Do, who is employed by him, is involved in the non-profit organization Viet America Society, which is accused of fraudulent spending of COVID-19 relief funds.
Last month, Orange County filed a lawsuit against Viet America Society and its CEO Peter Pham, alleging that they embezzled millions of dollars in pandemic relief funds intended to provide meals to residents in need. Hand to Hand Relief, an organization subcontracted by Viet America Society, was also named in the lawsuit.
Last month, the FBI searched Peter Pham’s residence in Garden Grove, Rhiannon Do’s residence in Tustin, and the Perfume River restaurant in Westminster, which provided meal delivery services for Viet America Society.