Orange County politics faced a major disruption in mid-June as longtime Supervisor Andrew Do abruptly resigned amid an explosive federal corruption investigation. The scandal centers around accusations that Do participated in a sweeping bribery and conspiracy scheme, ultimately defrauding taxpayers of millions in COVID-19 relief funds. The U.S. Department of Justice revealed that Do allegedly accepted over $550,000 in bribes to steer more than $10 million in pandemic aid to the Viet America Society—a nonprofit organization with direct ties to his daughter.
According to investigators, Do’s misuse of public funds was not a case of mismanagement but a deliberate orchestration of influence and favoritism for personal gain. The COVID-19 emergency funds, intended to support struggling businesses and vulnerable residents, were instead funneled into an organization that served as a financial front benefiting those within Do’s close circle. The fallout from these revelations has ignited widespread condemnation and intensified scrutiny of how federal and local governments disburse crisis aid.
U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada condemned the conduct in stark terms, stating, “He functioned like Robin Hood in reverse, and his conspirators stole money from the poor to give to themselves.” The gravity of the charges has cast a dark shadow over Do’s legacy, one that previously included advocacy for immigrant communities and mental health services. Critics now argue that such efforts may have been a smokescreen to cultivate political goodwill while engaging in self-serving practices behind the scenes.
In the wake of the scandal, Supervisor Katrina Foley issued a forceful call for accountability, saying, “If Supervisor Do does not resign, I will pursue every legal avenue available to have him removed from office.” Her declaration underscored the urgency of restoring public trust and initiating systemic reforms to prevent future abuses. Foley and other board members are now advocating for immediate reviews of all COVID-19 relief disbursements and proposing stricter ethics regulations to close loopholes that enable conflicts of interest.
The resignation of Andrew Do has left a power vacuum on the Orange County Board of Supervisors, with discussions already underway regarding his replacement. Civic leaders and community members alike are demanding that transparency, accountability, and integrity become guiding principles for whoever fills the role. The episode has also sparked broader conversations across California regarding how emergency funds are allocated, monitored, and audited.
As investigations continue, many in Orange County see this scandal as a watershed moment—an opportunity to not only root out corruption but to establish more robust safeguards to ensure that public resources serve the public good.
