Andrew Hoang Do, the disgraced former Orange County Supervisor, has been handed a five-year prison sentence after being convicted of conspiracy to commit bribery linked to a COVID-19 relief funds scandal. According to a recent press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office, Do accepted bribes in excess of $550,000, using his influence to funnel more than $10 million in pandemic aid to the Viet America Society (VAS), a charity associated with his daughter.
His corrupt activities included steering contracts to VAS and directly benefiting from the misappropriated funds. United States Attorney Bill Essayli stated, "Elected officials have a sworn duty to put their constituents’ interests ahead of their own," highlighting the betrayal of public trust at the heart of this scheme. The fallout from Do's actions includes not only his prison sentence but also an August 11 restitution hearing and a significant forfeiture penalty. Do had pled guilty in October 2024, leading to his resignation and the current legal repercussions.
The corruption occurred over several years, with the U.S. Attorney's Office detailing how the funds, which should have aided the vulnerable during the pandemic, were instead siphoned for personal gain. The FBI, along with multiple other agencies, investigated the case, uncovering the depth of the abuse of power. "Mr. Do abused his powerful position as a county supervisor to profit personally at the expense of individuals in need," stated Akil Davis, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI's Los Angeles Field Office.
The scheme financed lavish lifestyles, including property purchases and covering personal debts. The VAS, for instance, saw massive monthly payments to "Company #1," which then transferred substantial sums to Do's daughters. Notably, fiscal entanglements tied to one daughter enabled her to acquire a house in Tustin, utilizing funds that originated from the bribes. The law has caught up with the Do family, as assets related to the scheme, like the Tustin property, have been seized or forfeited.
Officials have praised the collaborative efforts leading to Do's conviction. Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer told the U.S. Attorney's Office, "We, along with our federal partners, are continuing to peel back the layers of conspiracy to hold every thief accountable and return those stolen monies to the communities to which they belonged." As the case concludes, the government calls for public vigilance, urging anyone with information on public corruption to report it to the FBI's tip line.
