CalOptima's audit into work of ex-Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do could soon be made public

The board of Orange County’s Medi-Cal insurer, CalOptima, voted Thursday to release a long-awaited audit of transactions touched by disgraced former county Supervisor Andrew Do during his time on the CalOptima board. The report could be released later this month after the board’s outside legal counsel notifies individuals named in the report and gives them a chance to file a legal challenge.

The backstory

Do currently is serving a five-year prison sentence on a federal bribery charge stemming from his actions as a county supervisor. LAist, which first uncovered the misdeeds, also has reported on Do’s relationship to several businesses that gained lucrative contracts with CalOptima while Do was on the insurer’s board.

What are the origins of the audit?

After Do pleaded guilty last year, CalOptima formed an ad hoc audit committee and voted to hire an outside firm to look into Do’s time on the board. The audit was completed in late August, but the board thus far has been silent about its results.

What’s next?

Individuals named in the report will have a week to file any legal challenges to the audit report’s release. The soonest the public could see the report is Oct. 30, according to a CalOptima spokesperson.

Separately, the Orange County Board of Supervisors selected a firm earlier this week to audit some 2,500 contracts approved during Do’s time as a supervisor. Results from the first phase of that audit could come early next year and, per the board’s direction, will be released publicly.

How to watchdog your local government

One of the best things you can do to hold officials accountable is pay attention. Your city council, board of supervisors, school board and more all hold public meetings that anybody can attend. These are times you can talk to your elected officials directly and hear about the policies they’re voting on that affect your community.

• Read tips on how to get involved.
• The next regular meeting of the Orange County Board of Supervisors is Oct. 28 at 9:30 a.m. You can check out the O.C. Board of Supervisors full calendar here.
• Learn how to submit a public comment to the O.C. Board of Supervisors.