Questions surround a two-term supervisor in Orange County, California accused of channeling COVID-funds to his daughter’s non-profit.
The Los Angeles Times describes him as one of Southern California’s “most prominent Vietnamese American politicians.” However, in his final year in office before he terms out, Do faces allegations of unethical behavior and the Orange County Register, which has supported him in the past, is calling for him to resign.
Public records obtained by the Times show that Do sent $2.2 million dollars in COVID funds to the Viet American Society, a non-profit that has listed Do’s daughter in various positions such as president, vice president or “case manager/program assistant.”
Yet the times reports the organization has failed to produce a required audit about how those funds were spent.
According to LAist, which first investigated the allegations against Do, a Vietnamese American newspaper says allegations of financial impropriety have followed the Supervisor for years.
The editor of Nguoi Viet says the latest accusations will “remind people (Do) used to do bad things in the past” including resigning as head of the county health plan after he oversaw major pay hikes in executive pay.
VietRise is calling for an investigation into Do’s time in office and says others in County government must bear responsibility for Do’s actions as well.
“It seems to me like there’s an ecosystem of people and county government who have not only enabled it, but most likely have partnered with Supervisor Do to make this happen as well,” said Tracy La of VietRISE.
The Times points out that Do did not violate any laws as there are no regulations in Orange County preventing a supervisor from sending funds to a non-profit run by a family member without disclosing it.
“If Andrew Do broke no rules, we need rules to make sure this never happens again,” said Jodi Balma, a professor of political science at Fullerton College.
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