OC Supervisor Quietly Routed Millions More To His Daughter’s Group
Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do directed an additional $6.2 million in taxpayer dollars to his 22-year-old daughter’s nonprofit group — nearly doubling the funding previously reported by LAist — according to county records obtained by LAist.
Those records show a total of $13.5 million in county funding that Do is now known to have played a major role awarding to Viet America Society since late 2020 — all without publicly disclosing the relationship. The newly-discovered grants were awarded by Do to his daughter Rhiannon Do’s nonprofit outside of public meetings. Details of these grants were also not included in public meeting agendas. Do awarded the $6.2 million within roughly the last year when Rhiannon Do was listed at various times as the nonprofit’s president on county records. The records obtained by LAist show the money was paid up front to Viet America Society for future services. Joining to discuss is LAist senior reporter Nick Gerda, who broke the initial conflict of interest story, and has continued following developments.
With files from Nick Gerda at LAist. Read the full story here.
We reached out to Supervisor Andrew Do and invited him to join our conversation and respond to Nick’s story, but as of the airing of this segment we have not received a response.
LA County District Attorney Race: Deputy District Attorney Maria Ramirez
Incumbent Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón is up against 11 other candidates hoping to take his seat. Gascón was elected for his progressive approach to reforming L.A.’s criminal justice system, but that’s also what’s gotten him in hot water. AirTalk is talking with the candidates running for DA. Today, Larry’s joined by Maria Ramirez, head deputy district attorney and candidate for Los Angeles County District Attorney. If you have questions, please call 866-893-5722 or email atcomments@laist.com.
Placenta: Here's What You Should Know About One Of The Most Important Organs
Placenta is an organ (yes, an organ) that develops in the uterus during pregnancy. Its importance can't be understated. It provides the fetus with nutrients and removes waste from the blood. All kinds of factors can affect the health of the placenta, according to Mayo Clinic, but experts have called it "the least understood" organ. Researchers are attempting to learn more. A new study shows a way to enhance research and potentially learn more about serious conditions like pre-eclampsia, where the placenta doesn't get enough blood and causes high blood pressure. Today on AirTalk, we break down what we know about placenta and the different ways researchers are trying to learn more. Joining to discuss it Dr. Margareta Pisarska, director of reproductive endocrinology and infertility and professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Cedars Sinai Medical Center, and Dr. Mana Parast, director of Perinatal Pathology at U.C. San Diego. Got questions or an experience to share? Call 866-893-5722 or email atcomments@laist.com.
CA Senate Race: United States Representative Adam Schiff
The race to replace Senator Diane Feinstein has begun and four candidates have emerged as likely contenders: Reps. Adam Schiff, Katie Porter, and Barbara Lee, who are running as Dems, as well as former Dodgers player Steve Garvey, who is running as a Republican. They appeared onstage together for the first time this week. The five major contenders have different track records and proposals on some of the biggest issues facing California. They’re trying to position themselves to appeal to sizable voting blocs before the March 5 primary. Today, we are joined by Congressman for California’s 30th Congressional District, Adam Schiff.
LA Times Layoffs: What Does It Mean For Our Local Community And The Larger Landscape Of Journalism
The Los Angeles Times on Tuesday announced that it plans to lay off at least 115 employees, or about 20% of the newsroom, as the paper struggles to stem budget losses. The move also comes during a tumultuous time at the newspaper. The top editor, Kevin Merida, announced his surprise resignation earlier this month, and last week the newsroom staged a walkout by around 350 employees in the first union-organized work stoppage in the paper’s 142-year history. And two senior editors on the masthead have left the paper in recent days. The paper’s billionaire owner, Patrick Soon-Shiong, said in a statement that the layoffs were needed because the newsroom can’t continue to lose $30 million to $40 million a year. Joining us this morning on AirTalk is NPR media correspondent, David Folkenflik.
