With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
The North Tustin home at the center of the Andrew Do scandal has sold for more than $1 million
Law enforcement searched the North Tustin home of Rhiannon Do, on Aug. 22, 2024. Now that home has sold for over $1 million.
(
Jason Armond
/
Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
)
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.
Sponsored message
In August, he was ordered to pay $878,230.80 in restitution for his involvement in the bribery scheme.
-
A committee tasked with oversight of the city’s controversial tax said it has created 10,000 union construction jobs. LAist tracked down the claim’s origins. -
The Los Angeles City Council voted Tuesday to conclude the Games at one venue instead of splitting the event across the city. -
First Amendment lawyer says LAPD denial goes against principles of public records law.
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.
Sponsored message
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.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
