Alleged co-conspirator in Andrew Do taxpayer fraud scheme pleads not guilty

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The charges: Thanh Huong Nguyen, 61, of Santa Ana was arraigned on one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, one count of wire fraud and one count of concealment of money laundering. She was allowed to leave court on a $10,000 bond. Nguyen — who led the nonprofit Hand to Hand Relief Organization that Do routed $3 million in taxpayer funds to — could face decades in prison if convicted on all counts, according to the U.S. attorney's office. Nguyen and her attorneys declined to comment at the federal courthouse in Santa Ana.

The background: Prosecutors allege that Nguyen and Peter Pham — a founder of the Viet America Society nonprofit at the center of a bribery scheme involving millions of taxpayer dollars — "unlawfully acquired approximately $12 million in county funds through this conspiracy." The federal prosecutors’ office says Pham left the U.S. on a one-way ticket to Taiwan in December. Pham was indicted, along with Nguyen, last week.

What’s next? A jury trial is set for Aug. 5 but could be postponed.

How this story was uncovered: An LAist investigation exposed millions in unaccounted-for coronavirus relief funds Do quietly routed to Viet America Society, which was connected to Do's youngest daughter. Do did not publicly disclose his family relationship at the time the money was issued. Federal law enforcement launched a probe after LAist's reporting uncovered the problems.