Andrew Do, a former Orange County supervisor, was sentenced to five years in federal prison on Monday for his role in a bribery scheme involving COVID-19 relief funds. Do accepted over $550,000 in bribes intended to provide meals for needy residents, particularly the elderly. U.S. District Judge James Selna expressed frustration that the law only allowed him to impose the maximum sentence of five years, emphasizing that public corruption harms the community far beyond just financial losses.
Do’s downfall began when he funneled more than $10 million in federal pandemic money to a nonprofit organization. This organization was supposed to deliver meals to vulnerable populations but failed to provide adequate evidence of its efforts. The scheme unraveled in 2023 when investigative reports revealed that Do had approved contracts for the nonprofit without disclosing that his daughter, Rhiannon, was involved as a president or vice president.
As the scandal grew, Do initially claimed he was being slandered and pushed back against the media scrutiny. However, he later resigned from his position and pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bribery. Prosecutors noted that the nonprofit also funneled money to his other daughter through an unrelated company.
The judge and prosecutors highlighted the severity of Do’s actions, which exploited a crisis that left many in his community vulnerable. Janet Nguyen, the current supervisor for the district, remarked on how Do took advantage of the pandemic when oversight was lax.
In addition to his prison sentence, Do faces restitution payments between $550,000 and $730,500, with the sale of his forfeited home contributing to this amount. His defense team argued for a shorter sentence, citing his past contributions and claiming he was motivated by a desire to help his family. However, prosecutors countered that his actions were premeditated and showed a blatant disregard for the trust placed in him by his constituents.
Do’s case has raised questions about accountability within local government and the mechanisms in place to prevent such corruption. As the community grapples with the fallout, many are left wondering how oversight failed to catch the scheme before it escalated.