Southern California county official pleads guilty to bribery charge in COVID funds scheme

SANTA ANA, California — A high-ranking elected official in Southern California’s Orange County has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bribery in a far-reaching case. scheme that misused COVID-19 relief funds intended to help the elderly.

Andrew Do, a county supervisor who recently resigned from his position, entered a plea Thursday in federal court in Santa Ana, California, under an agreement with federal prosecutors.

Do, 61, apologized to his family and dependents in a statement he read out in court.

“I deeply regret my actions,” he said.

Authorities said Do took more than half a million dollars in bribes while ensuring COVID relief funds went to an organization that claimed to feed the elderly and disabled. The group, Viet America Society, where Do’s daughter, Rhiannon Do, was listed as an officer, did not spend most of the money she received for the meals on providing them, authorities said, adding that some of the money was spent on real estate. .

The case stems from a long-running investigation into the Viet America Society and because Orange County — home to more than 3 million people between Los Angeles and San Diego — has filed a civil lawsuit alleging the group misused federal funds. Federal officials said only 15% of the more than $9 million funneled to the group went to meals.

Andrew Do came to the country as a Vietnamese refugee and went on to become a prosecutor and city councilman before winning a seat on the five-member Orange County Board of Supervisors. He will be sentenced on March 31.

Authorities have said Rhiannon Do is cooperating with the investigation and will not be charged.