Former Orange County Supervisor Pleads Guilty to Bribery

Andrew Do, the former District 1 supervisor of Orange County, California, has pleaded guilty to accepting over $550,000 in bribes as part of a scheme to divert more than $10 million in COVID-19 relief funds to a charity linked to his daughter, Rhiannon Do. The U.S. Department of Justice revealed that only 15% of the funds meant for aiding vulnerable residents were actually used for their intended purpose, with most redirected for personal gain. Do's actions included directing payments to the Viet America Society, which misappropriated funds that were supposed to feed elderly and disabled residents. Prosecutors emphasized that Do betrayed public trust and exploited his position for personal enrichment, with significant portions of the stolen funds used for his family’s expenses. He has agreed to forfeit $2.4 million and two homes as part of his plea deal. The case underscores ongoing concerns about corruption among public officials during the pandemic.