LAist’s Nick Gerda named Journalist of the Year by LA and OC press clubs

LAist’s watchdog correspondent Nick Gerda won the L.A. Press Club’s Online Journalist of the Year award for his investigative work that uncovered the scandal involving former O.C. Supervisor Andrew Do and the millions of misspent pandemic dollars intended to feed hungry seniors.

The investigation uncovered more than $13 million in public funds Do had quietly awarded to a nonprofit without disclosing that his daughter worked as a leader there. Federal investigators found that most of the money came from federal COVID relief funds earmarked to help seniors in need during the pandemic.

LAist's investigation inspired three state bills, two of which went into effect this year, and a third will take effect Jan. 1, 2026.

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"With far fewer local reporters covering local government than in the past, it’s all the more crucial that leaders are held to account," Gerda said. "The Andrew Do scandal illustrates what can go wrong outside public view when government leaders operate with little transparency or checks on power. I’m glad this reporting has reminded so many of us — myself included — of why local investigative reporting matters."

Gerda won Journalist of the Year at the Golden State Journalism Awards contest and was named Journalist of the Year by the O.C. Press Club. Nationally, Gerda also won first place in this year’s Dan Rather Medals for News and Guts, and the work was a finalist for an Investigative Reporters & Editors award.

What’s the latest? 

Do was sentenced to five years in federal prison, and is expected to report to prison in August.

The federal government has seized $2.4 million from bank accounts and real estate properties at the center of the scandal. The money is expected to be returned to the constituents Do was supposed to be serving as supervisor.

More L.A. Press Club wins

LAist was awarded first place in public service and received a handful of second place wins, including for Local Political/Government Reporting, Crime/Corruption, and Investigative Reporting.

Our newsroom also won first place awards for:

• News Feature (Audio): Mariana Dale, Monica Bushman, Ross Brenneman, LAist Studios, and Imperfect Paradise team for:
  
  • "Too young to vote, but not to care: 3 high schoolers watch the election” 
• Limited Series Podcast: Antonia Cereijido, Emily Guerin, Jill Replogle, Erin Stone, Makenna Sievertson, LAist Studios, and Imperfect Paradise team for:
  
  • “Lions, Coyotes, & Bears”

Editors note: Destiny Torres is an O.C. Press Club board member.