Topline:
A North Tustin home at the heart of the Andrew Do corruption scandal has sold for roughly $1.1 million, and depending on the Department of Justice, Orange County could see that money returned in about three months.
How we got here: Do was recently sentenced to five years in prison for his role in the elaborate scheme that saw him accepting bribes in exchange for directing more than $10 million in public contracts to a nonprofit group with ties to his daughter. The bribes were then routed through his adult daughter, according to Do’s plea agreement, and included a down payment on the North Tustin home. U.S. officials seized that home in July and accounts associated with the corruption scheme.
What's next: The Department of Justice has to approve the transfer of house sale funds to the victim, in this case the County of Orange. That process could take about 90 days. It's up to the county how they want to spend that money.
A North Tustin home at the heart of the Andrew Do corruption scandal has sold for roughly $1.1 million, and depending on the Department of Justice, Orange County could see that money returned in about three months.
Do, a former Orange County supervisor was caught using taxpayer funds meant to feed needy seniors to buy the home.
How we got here
Do was recently sentenced to five years in prison for his role in the elaborate scheme that saw him accepting bribes in exchange for directing more than $10 million in public contracts to a nonprofit group with ties to his daughter. The bribes were then routed through his adult daughter, according to Do’s plea agreement, and included a down payment on the North Tustin home. U.S. officials seized that home in July and accounts associated with the corruption scheme.
In August, he was ordered to pay $878,230.80 in restitution for his involvement in the bribery scheme.
What's next
Ciaran McEvoy, a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, told LAist now that the house has sold, the next step is “remission of forfeited assets.” The Department of Justice has to approve if the funds from the home sale will be returned to the victim, in this case the County of Orange.
Typically, the DOJ takes about 90 days for approval. The federal government shutdown could potentially affect that timeline, McEvoy said, but some DOJ staff including him are working without pay.
If approved, the County of Orange will get the full amount that the house sold for and it is up to them how the funds are spent, McEvoy said.
LAist has reached out to the county spokesperson for comment. We have also reached out to Supervisor Janet Nguyen’s office for comment.
The second property
Federal officials also seized a second property in connection with the scheme. The commercial property in Santa Ana is currently for sale for roughly $1 million.
