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Civics & Democracy

Former OC Supervisor Andrew Do makes first court appearance

A man in a chair wearing a suit jacket, tie and glasses looks forward with a microphone in front of him. A sign in front has the official seal of the County of Orange and states "Andrew Do, Vice Chairman, District 1."
Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do at the board of supervisors meeting on Nov. 28, 2023
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Nick Gerda / LAist
)

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Former Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do appeared in federal court on Monday to face one count of conspiring to steal millions of dollars meant to feed needy seniors following a months-long LAist investigation that proceeded a federal probe.

As a formality, Do entered a not guilty plea on Monday, but on Thursday is expected to change his plea to guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bribery as part of deal reached with prosecutors.

In that plea deal announced last week by the U.S. Attorney's Office, Do admitted to accepting more than $550,000 in bribes for directing and voting in favor of more than $10 million in COVID funds to a charity affiliated with his daughter Rhiannon Do.

During his arraignment, Do was barred from leaving the country, moving, or selling or transferring assets worth more than $10,000 without the court's permission.

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The U.S. Attorney's Office also announced last week that Rhiannon Do will be placed on three years of probation through a pretrial diversion program after admitting to filing a falsified mortgage application that disguised her use of taxpayer dollars in the purchase of a house in Tustin.

Paul S. Meyer, Andrew Do's attorney, told LAist in a written statement that "in order to respect the legal process we will not issue a statement at this time.”   

Catch up on the investigation

In November 2023, LAist began investigating how millions in public taxpayer dollars were spent. In total, LAist has uncovered public records showing more than $13 million in public money that was approved to a little-known nonprofit that records state was led on and off by Rhiannon Do. Most of that money was directed to the group by Supervisor Do outside of the public’s view and never appeared on public meeting agendas. He did not publicly disclose his family ties.

Much of the known funding came from federal coronavirus relief money.


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