The Orange County Board of Supervisors holds a meeting to address the plea deal controversy.
The Orange County Board of Supervisors has contacted the U.S. Department of Justice regarding former Supervisor Andrew Do’s plea deal, highlighting concerns over apparent preferential treatment. As his sentencing date approaches, the board seeks further scrutiny of the circumstances surrounding his guilty plea tied to conspiracy and bribery linked to COVID relief funds. Supervisor Janet Nguyen argues for a stronger punishment, emphasizing the need for accountability in political corruption cases. This request reflects ongoing frustrations over the handling of the case and aims to ensure justice for affected communities.
In a significant move shaking up the political scene, the Orange County Board of Supervisors has decided to reach out to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) over the plea deal of former Supervisor Andrew Do. This comes after Do entered a guilty plea last year involving a case of conspiracy to commit bribery linked to over $10 million in federal COVID relief funds.
Andrew Do struck a deal allowing him to serve a maximum of five years in prison. However, this arrangement has stirred up quite a bit of controversy, with some board members suggesting he got preferential treatment due to his role as a public official. As his sentencing date approaches on June 9, the board is clamoring for a closer examination of the circumstances surrounding his plea deal.
Supervisor Janet Nguyen has been particularly vocal about her concerns, arguing that five years is just not a hefty enough punishment for the scale of the misdeeds connected to Do’s actions. She emphasized that the people in her district, who she referred to as “victims,” have essentially been silenced in this entire process.
In a vote of 4-1, the board expressed their stance by sending a letter to the U.S. Attorney General, advocating for a rethink of Do’s plea deal. They noted that his potential sentence appears notably lighter compared to similar cases involving COVID fraud and political corruption.
Adding fuel to the fire, the resolution that the board discussed highlighted the need for additional scrutiny over claims that Do had gained improper access to privileged communications during his plea negotiations. This aspect has raised alarms, particularly concerning the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment.
What makes this case even more intricate is the revelation that Do created a network of conspirators, including Peter Pham, who allegedly received funds for community services that were not delivered as promised. Misappropriated COVID relief funds were supposedly used to buy homes for Rhiannon Do and others, raising eyebrows across the community.
The county isn’t just sitting by. A civil suit has been filed against both Pham and Rhiannon Do, who remain under investigation for their roles in this extensive corruption case. Moreover, there are indications that a breach of emails allowed Do to access confidential communications for several months post-plea agreement, which raises serious questions about integrity in the justice process.
While the majority of the board seems to be united in seeking further inquiry, there’s a noticeable divide in opinion. Supervisor Don Wagner voiced opposition to the board’s call for DOJ intervention, arguing that it’s not their role to question how law enforcement handled the case. He defended the appropriateness of Do’s sentence, stating that it falls within expected legal boundaries.
Andrew Do resigned and pled guilty in October 2023, after admitting to taking bribes exceeding $550,000 in exchange for directing funds to the Viet America Society, where his daughter was employed. Some of the misappropriated funds were reportedly used to settle personal expenses and buy property for Do and his family, which has only added to the outrage among constituents.
The situation has sparked a wave of backlash from residents who feel the punishment is far too lenient for the level of corruption involved. Considering the ongoing investigations and the county’s efforts to recover misappropriated funds through civil litigation, it’s safe to say that this story is far from over.
The Board of Supervisors has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring accountability, expressing a strong desire for systemic reforms that will prevent similar abuses from happening in the future. As this case continues to unfold, the eyes of the community remain firmly focused on the upcoming developments, hoping for justice to take its rightful course.
Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do’s Bribery Admission Shocks Community
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