Before coming to LAist in late 2021, I covered topics such as mental health, domestic violence and environmental issues for newspapers in Texas, Arizona and northern California. I turned my focus to climate coverage after reporting on the devastating impacts of rising sea levels on communities in the remote Sundarbans islands in India.
A scene at 2021 Orange County supervisors meeting. At issue now is millions of public funds awarded by Supervisor Andrew Do, center, during the pandemic to two nonprofits officials say have failed to account for the spending.LAist is facing a budget shortfall, but our mission to provide fact-based journalism is stronger than ever. We cannot do this important work without your member support today.
LAist previously reported that public records show Supervisor Do directed at least $13.5 million to the nonprofit where his daughter Rhiannon Do worked. Most of the money was directed outside of the public’s view and did not appear on public agendas.that the county threatened legal action and upped the demand to repay more than $4 million, or prove where that money went, by Aug. 26.
Foley said the latest developments moved her and Sarmiento to take accountability demands “up a notch.” "If they’re not able to produce responses, I think we’re left with no other recourse but to now begin litigation and investigation and ensuring that these public funds were used as intended," he said.Supervisor Do has not responded to LAist’s multiple requests for comment since last November. On Wednesday, a person who answered the phone at Do’s county office directed the call to his chief of staff, Chris Wangsaporn.
“As the chair of the board, that’s part of your role to make sure potential ethics violations and potential misuse of authority and funds are investigated thoroughly,” Sarmiento said.
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