An FBI raid was conducted this morning on a Tustin residence linked to the daughter of Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do. The multimillion-dollar home is reportedly at the heart of a fraud lawsuit, with allegations that tax dollars were misappropriated to finance the property's purchase, according to reports by KTLA. Rhiannon Do, the supervisor's daughter, acquired the home in question in July 2023 and is now facing legal scrutiny for her financial dealings as an executive with the Viet America Society (VAS).
FBI spokesperson Laura Eimiller confirmed that their agents are serving a search warrant at that location, though further details could not be disclosed as the warrant is presently sealed by the court. No current plans for arrests have been noted, according to Eimiller's statement obtained by LAist. Both Andrew and Rhiannon Do were reportedly seen at the property this week, which has been largely unoccupied since its acquisition.
The investigation entails the VAS's receipt and purported mishandling of up to $13.5 million in public funds, as discovered by an ongoing series of LAist investigations. This nonprofit organization has been connected to Rhiannon Do, especially in terms of leadership and financial oversight. It is this connection that has drawn the attention of county officials, demanding accountability for the large-scale allocation of taxpayer money to VAS, amidst claims of pervasive self-dealing.
Law enforcement personnel were observed raiding the residence, with local neighbor Larry Thomas revealing to LAist reporters that noticeable noise was emanating from within the house during the raid. He also shared that evidence markers were visible outside a structure on the property, indicating the search's thorough nature. As of last December, VAS had yet to properly account for the millions Do had directed toward the group, further fueling the controversy and legal action.
While Rhiannon Do has defended her home purchase, asserting her hard work to acquire it, the county's lawsuit vehemently argues otherwise, alleging a fraudulent diversion of funds intended to aid vulnerable seniors during the pandemic. These funds, the lawsuit claims, were instead utilized in the procurement of various properties including Do's Tustin home. Despite repeated requests for comment from LAist over the past nine months, Supervisor Do denies any wrongdoing and has largely remained silent. Additional updates will be reported as the story continues to develop.
