Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.
Orange County announces lawsuit against another nonprofit with connections to Supervisor Andrew Do
The empty chair of O.C. Supervisor Andrew Do at the supervisors' meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024.
(
Nick Gerda
/
LAist
)
Topline:
Orange County has announced a lawsuit against another nonprofit, Hand to Hand Relief Organization (H2H), and its CEO to recover millions of taxpayer dollars that were directed by Supervisor Andrew Do.
Why it matters: The $3 million was meant to feed hungry seniors during the pandemic, but the organization is accused of using the money for “illusory loan payments” to its CEO, Thanh Huong Nguyen, according to Supervisor Katrina Foley’s office.
The details: The organization allegedly directed the money to Nguyen’s separate businesses, as well as private rental payments to Aloha Financial, and for “voluminous” cash withdrawals. More than $600,000 of H2H’s pandemic relief grants were also allegedly transferred to Viet America Society (VAS) as a subcontractor, according to Foley's office. VAS is the nonprofit at the center of a long-running LAist investigation.
Sponsored message
Attempts to reach H2H Monday evening were unsuccessful.
The backstory: Both Aloha Financial and VAS are defendants in another O.C. lawsuit filed last week. Mark Rosen, the attorney representing VAS, called that lawsuit "a disgrace,” and told LAist in an interview that he believes it's more of a political statement meant to generate headlines.
Why now: “H2H and VAS schemed to pilfer public funds,” Foley said in a statement Monday. “With this additional litigation against H2H and VAS, I renew my call for criminal investigations by County, State, and Federal officials, and commit that the County of Orange continues to pursue all avenues available to recover these grossly misused taxpayer funds.”
LAist is working to obtain a copy of the lawsuit from the court and will have more on this developing story.
Read on... for more about LAist’s investigation.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
