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Former OC Supervisor Andrew Do's law license is suspended — starting today
Then-Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do at a Board of Supervisors meeting back in Nov. 28, 2023, before his resignation.
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Nick Gerda
/
LAist
)
Disgraced former Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do can no longer practice law. The California State Bar Court suspended his license today — a precursor to potential disbarment.
LAist reached out to Do's attorney, Paul Meyer, for comment, but Meyer said, "It is inappropriate to comment at this time."
Here's the backstory
Do, a licensed attorney, pleaded guilty to a felony charge of bribery in late October, nearly a year after LAist began investigating millions in taxpayer dollars that Do directed to a nonprofit where his daughter, Rhiannon Do, held top roles.
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Federal prosecutors say the longtime O.C. supervisor has agreed to plead guilty and resign in a conspiracy to steal millions of dollars meant to feed needy seniors, following a months-long LAist investigation and federal probe. -
A look back at LAist reporting that uncovered more than $13 million in public funds directed to a little-known nonprofit by Andrew Do, who did not disclose that his daughter Rhiannon Do held leadership roles with the group — which was not required by state law at the time. -
Orange County Supervisors say they are trying to understand the extent of the corruption that took place under former Supervisor Andrew Do.
What happened to the money?
Federal prosecutors determined that some of that money, which was meant to feed seniors during the pandemic, was used for personal gain, including buying a home for Rhiannon Do, who is a third-year law student at UC Irvine.
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What is the State Bar’s role?
The State Bar of California has authority over licensing, regulating, and disciplining attorneys in the state. According to State Bar rules, an attorney will be summarily disbarred if the State Bar Court determines that the attorney’s felony offense involved moral turpitude, or the "specific intent to deceive, defraud, steal, or make or suborn a false statement."
On Jan. 17, the State Bar Court ordered Do’s suspension pending finalization of his criminal case. The order characterizes Do’s crime as “a felony involving moral turpitude.”
What’s next?
Do is scheduled to be sentenced on his felony charge March 31. After that, the State Bar Court will hold a disciplinary hearing to determine whether Do will be allowed to continue practicing law in California.
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The change will mean CalOptima members who fall off Medi-Cal will remain eligible to enroll with the plan. -
The 2026 Orange County Fair is offering plenty of new food creations this year, including a PB&J bacon cheeseburger and a Dubai chocolate deep-fried Oreo. -
Proposed court decision says Marilyn “Mari” Barke will have to pay nearly $82,000 in penalty fees, as well as attorneys’ costs.
Can his daughter still become a lawyer?
Possibly. Rhiannon Do admitted to participating in mortgage fraud related to the $1 million Tustin home she purchased with kickbacks from an organization that benefited from Do's contract awards. Her agreement with the court requires her to work and/or attend school, including preparing for the State Bar exam.
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Applicants to the State Bar have to go through a background check and submit a moral character application that gets reviewed by the Bar. According to State Bar rules, applicants need to disclose pending criminal matters.
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You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
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