UPDATE: A federal judge has ruled that former Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do must repay the government $878,230.80 following his conviction in a major bribery scheme. The ruling, made on Monday in Santa Ana, California, comes as Do prepares to begin a five-year prison sentence this Friday.
The court’s decision stems from a restitution hearing where federal prosecutors and defense attorneys agreed on the repayment amount, which exceeds the initial estimates. The U.S. District Judge James Selna presided over the hearing, determining the financial penalties necessary due to Do’s involvement in steering over $10 million in contracts towards his co-conspirators in exchange for substantial bribes.
Do did not attend the hearing, having received prior consent to skip it. During the proceedings, prosecutors argued he should repay $868,612 linked to the kickbacks he received, along with $9,618.80 in legal fees for the county. Meanwhile, Do’s defense claimed the amount owed should be capped at $802,692, factoring in the work his daughter, Rhiannon Do, performed for the nonprofit implicated in the corruption, Viet America Society.
Prosecutors raised concerns that Do’s actions as a public official not only betrayed his constituents but also contributed to the misuse of funds intended for essential services for the elderly and disabled. “Defendant used his position as supervisor for the county of Orange to steer millions of dollars in contracts to his co-conspirators, in exchange for more than a half million dollars in bribes,” prosecutors stated.
In a statement following the ruling, County Supervisor Janet Nguyen expressed disappointment but also optimism regarding a process to recover seized funds linked to Do’s scheme, amounting to $5 million. “We will work with the U.S. Attorney to obtain these funds to return back to the residents he stole from,” Nguyen said.
As part of the plea agreement, Rhiannon Do will enter a diversion program. She reportedly earned $8,000 monthly while working for the nonprofit, totaling $224,000 from September 2021 to February 2024. Prosecutors highlighted that Viet America Society failed to deliver services as promised, using funds instead for personal gains, including property purchases.
The court noted that of the approximately $9.3 million paid to Viet America Society, only about 15% was spent on actual meal services. This has raised significant questions about the integrity of the nonprofit and the broader implications of the scheme.
Defense attorneys contended there was no evidence that Do was aware of the full extent of the fraudulent activities surrounding the contracts, arguing he only stood guilty of conspiracy to commit bribery rather than the overarching fraud scheme. They emphasized the limited evidence linking him to the totality of the corruption.
With the judge’s ruling now set, Do is required to pay $250,000 within 30 days, followed by monthly payments of $1,000 after his release from prison. The implications of this case extend beyond financial restitution, raising critical discussions about accountability in public office and the misuse of governmental funds.
As the fallout from this high-profile case continues, it serves as a cautionary tale about the potential for corruption within public service, impacting not only the individuals involved but also the communities they were elected to serve. The broader implications will likely resonate throughout Orange County and beyond as officials work to recover misappropriated funds.
Stay tuned for further updates as this developing story unfolds.
