UPDATE: Former Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do has been ordered to repay $878,230.80 to the government following his conviction in a federal bribery scheme. The ruling was delivered by a federal judge in Santa Ana, California, just moments ago, as Do prepares to serve a five-year prison sentence starting this Friday.
The court hearing, which took place earlier today, confirmed that Do’s restitution payment will include $868,612 for the funds he unlawfully received, plus an additional $9,618.80 in legal fees owed to the county. This judgment comes after federal prosecutors and defense attorneys reached an agreement that the restitution amount should range between $800,000 and just over $878,000.
The U.S. District Judge James Selna emphasized that Do’s plea to conspiracy limited his liability in the broader scheme, which involved steering millions of taxpayer dollars to the Viet America Society, a nonprofit that failed to deliver promised services to elderly and disabled residents. Prosecutors argue Do received over $550,000 in bribes between 2021 and 2023, while directing more than $10 million in contracts to co-conspirators.
While Do did not attend the hearing, his attorney, Paul Meyer, stated, “The court’s ruling says it all.” Do’s repayment plan includes an initial payment of $250,000 within 30 days, followed by monthly installments of $1,000 after his release from prison.
County Supervisor Janet Nguyen expressed disappointment with the ruling, stating, “We will work with the U.S. Attorney to obtain these funds to return back to the residents he stole from.” Nguyen’s comments reflect the broader community’s concern over the misuse of funds, as the Viet America Society reportedly spent only 15% of the $9.3 million it received on actual meal services.
Further complicating the case, Do’s daughter, Rhiannon Do, was involved with the nonprofit, receiving $8,000 monthly from September 2021 to February 2024. Prosecutors allege the funds were used to facilitate her purchase of a $1.035 million home in Tustin, drawing further scrutiny to the family’s financial dealings.
As the situation unfolds, the community remains watchful. Prosecutors continue to investigate the broader implications of the case, including the potential recovery of $5 million seized from bank accounts and properties linked to Do’s family. The fallout from this scandal not only affects Do but also raises critical questions about accountability and ethics in public service.
The next steps will focus on the implementation of the restitution payment plan and any additional legal consequences for those involved in the scheme. As investigations continue, residents of Orange County are left grappling with the impact of these revelations on their community and public trust.
