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Former Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do pleaded guilty to a bribery scheme that enriched himself and his family anywhere from $550,000 to over $700,000 in federal COVID bailout money meant to feed the elderly.
“It’s true. I have great sorrow for my actions,” Do said in court at the Ronald Reagan Federal Courthouse on Thursday morning. “I’m responsible for every word.”
Do channeled over $10 million in federal COVID bailout dollars to a nonprofit run by his daughter that federal prosecutors allege didn’t do almost any of the work it was paid for, according to his signed plea agreement.
His guilty plea ends any option for appeal or a further criminal trial, but it remains unclear when he will be sentenced, with prosecutors saying his charges could carry a maximum of five years in prison along with financial penalties.
[Read: OC Supervisor Andrew Do Charged With Corruption by Federal Prosecutors]
He’s slated to be sentenced March 31, 2025.
Do’s daughter Rhiannon Do also signed a diversion agreement with prosecutors admitting to her part in the bribery scheme – including buying a house with the federal bailout dollars – while agreeing to fully cooperate with the investigation to avoid criminal charges.
The plea comes as county supervisors launch multiple investigations into how over $10 million got sent to the Viet America Society nonprofit, with prosecutors saying only around $1.5 million actually went to its intended purpose of feeding the elderly.
There are also two candidates vying for his seat on the Orange County Board of Supervisors: State Senator Janet Nguyen and Cypress City Councilwoman Frances Marquez, both of whom have condemned Do’s actions and promised a sweeping round of audits if elected.
[Read: Santana: The Political Ghost of Andrew Do Haunts 1st District Race]
The county board of supervisors have already announced multiple audits underway along with a civil lawsuit against the Viet America Society to recoup the county’s money – with some supervisors supporting an outside investigation.
Do’s bribery scandal also marks the second major corruption scandal to hit Orange County in less than three years.
A federal probe surfaced in Anaheim in 2022 that would eventually see the Angel Stadium deal collapse, along with Mayor Harry Sidhu resigning and agreeing to plead guilty to obstruction of justice for lying to federal investigators about trying to ram through the stadium sale for up to $1 million in campaign support.
[Read: What Does Another Corruption Scandal Mean for Orange County?]
Federal investigators have also confirmed they’re not done investigating yet, and there are currently no charges against Do’s wife Cheri Pham, one of the top judges at the OC Superior Court.
[Read: Who is the OC Judge Married to the County Supervisor in the Middle of an FBI Probe?]
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