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Los Angeles Times
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
Ex-O.C. Supervisor Andrew Do gets 5 years prison in bribery case
Former Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do, who resigned as part of a plea deal stemming from a bribery scheme involving disbursement of COVID-19 relief funds, was sentenced Monday to five years in federal prison. Attorneys for Do, 62, were asking that he serve just shy of three years in federal prison. Five years was the maximum sentence available under the plea agreement. Prosecutors pushed for the maximum sentence. From 2020 through 2024, Do 'used his position as the supervisor for Orange County's First District to steer millions of dollars to his personal associates in exchange for hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes,' prosecutors said in their sentencing brief. 'When the county and the nation were at their most vulnerable (during the COVID-19 pandemic), defendant saw an opportunity to exploit the chaos for his own benefit and, in so doing, betrayed the trust of hundreds of thousands of his constituents,' prosecutors said. 'The scheme was far-reaching and premeditated, and defendant had no qualms about pulling others into his criminal enterprise, including his own children.' Prosecutors argued that 'public corruption is a unique form of democratic sabotage,' and added, 'It can be more corrosive than overt violence in destabilizing democratic norms, because it operates subtly, behind closed doors, infecting institutions that are meant to embody impartiality.' The prosecutors argued Do earned harsher punishment for his corruption. Prosecutors wrote that U.S. District Judge James Selna 'should treat defendant's crimes not merely a theft or fraud by a public official, but as an assault on the very legitimacy of government,' prosecutors said. Do admitted in his plea agreement that in exchange for more than $550,000 in bribes, he cast votes on the Board of Supervisors beginning in 2020 that directed more than $10 million in COVID relief funds to the Viet America Society, where his daughter Rhiannon worked, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. When Do pleaded guilty in October, Selna told him he could face a stiffer sentence, but then it could be appealed. But Do waived all of his appeals and cannot withdraw the plea if the sentence does not exceed the five years. From 2021 to 2023, Do funneled more than $10 million in county contracts to VAS, prosecutors said. The money was part of a food-delivery program during the pandemic as well as a $1 million grant for a Vietnam War Memorial in Mile Square Park in Fountain Valley, prosecutors said. Rhiannon worked for VAS and will be able to take advantage of a diversion program as part of her father's plea deal. Rhiannon Do was paid $8,000 monthly between September 2021 and February 2024, for a total of $224,000, prosecutors said. In July 2023, $381,500 from VAS was put in escrow so Rhiannon Do could buy a $1.035 million house in Tustin, prosecutors said. Do's other daughter received $100,000 in October 2022, prosecutors said. Do used $14,849 of the money to pay property tax for two properties in Orange County that he owned with his wife, Orange County Superior Court Judge Cheri Pham, prosecutors said. Do used another $15,000 to pay off credit card debt, prosecutors said. Do's 'bribery scheme with VAS was not only corrupt, it also turned out to be a fraud on the county as VAS was not providing the meals to elderly and disabled residents as it had promised,' prosecutors said. VAS 'only spent about 15% ($1.4 million) on providing meals,' they added. Prosecutors slammed Do for making online videos praising VAS and its owner as a 'selfless community hero.' Meanwhile, later Monday, a new co-defendant in the case — 61-year-old Thanh Huong Nguyen of Santa Ana — is expected to make his initial appearance in federal court on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud and concealment of money laundering. Nguyen was named in an indictment Wednesday that was unsealed Friday. Nguyen operated the Hand to Hand Relief Organization. Do's friend and associate Peter Anh Pham, 65, of Garden Grove, who ran VAS, was also indicted on single counts each of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud bribery and six counts each of wire fraud and concealment of money laundering. But Pham's whereabouts are unknown and federal prosecutors say he is considered a fugitive. Probation officials recommended 48 months in prison for Do, but prosecutors said Do should get the five years because he 'literally sold out his most defenseless constituents for his own personal gain during a global medical emergency when they needed him for their very survival.' Prosecutors also faulted Do for choosing 'to involve his family in his crime, broadening the conspiracy and exposing them to prosecution. This was not only deceptive, it was strategic. It was not a spur-of-the-moment lapse of judgment, but a sustained effort to evade scrutiny through manipulation of personal relationships and familial trust.' Do's other daughter lost her job and Rhiannon Do 'faces consequences to her potential career as an attorney,' prosecutors said. Prosecutors also knocked Do for settling a Fair Political Practices Commission Complaint in 2017 for helping a political donor in pursuit of a government contract. Do's attorneys argued that he 'received no actual payment to himself — all significant funds were provided to his daughter Rhiannon Do,' and that he was 'willfully blinded to the violations by the desire to see benefit to his adult daughter, and his belief that his daughter was providing worthwhile services to those who provided the benefits to her.' Do, however, 'now recognizes how completely wrong he was in this catastrophic self-delusion,' his attorneys said. 'He has watched the complete destruction of his career, reputation, his life and that of his family,' his attorneys said. 'He apologized to his family, his community and former colleagues and to this court. In short, Andrew Do's life has been destroyed by his own acts.' He agreed to resign his post as supervisor, had his state bar license suspended, stopped working and volunteers his time to benefit the community, his attorneys said. Do also agrees that restitution should be between $550,000 and $730,500 and that the sale of the home in Tustin will go toward that, his attorneys said. Do's attorneys highlighted his service as a public defender and prosecutor as well as an elected official. His 'implicit agreement' to 'reward' Do for the contracts for VAS was not a 'quid-pro-quo' conspiracy, his attorneys argued. The corruption was limited to the dealings with VAS, his lawyers emphasized. 'All of this is important because it underscores that what we are dealing with here is a blind spot involving his daughters, and no way a pattern of corruption,' his attorneys said. Do's attorneys also recounted his history growing up and ultimately escaping war-torn Vietnam. Do said in a letter to Selna that he was born in Saigon during the Vietnam War and arrived in the United States when he was 12 years old and settled into a refugee camp in Alabama where his parents worked in a cotton mill. He said he and his siblings worked odd jobs in the neighborhood and 'learned to cope with the anti-immigrant and racist atmosphere that some, but not all, in the community expressed.'' His family moved to Garden Grove in 1976, where '11 of us shared a two-bedroom apartment,' he wrote. Do wrote in his letter, 'I am guilty. I am ashamed, and I fully admit the wrongs that I have done. I only ask that you look at the larger picture in evaluating my acts.' He added, 'In retrospect, I can't believe that I did not see the evil of allowing this nonprofit (whose money came from the county) to assist my daughter in purchasing a home. I was blinded by a father's seeing his daughter as being worth every penny of what they paid her. 'My daughter did, indeed, work hard for the nonprofit, and I am proud of the work she did. However, it is clear that I simply did not want to see the payments for what they were (a bribe) and now my bad judgment has derailed all that I had sought to achieve before I left public office.'
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Man arrested in connection with vandalism of war memorial in Brighton
A man has been arrested in connection with the vandalism of the war memorial in Brighton. According to Boston Police, the war memorial, located at the intersection of Cambridge and Henshaw streets in Brighton, was vandalized on Wednesday, May 21, between approximately 6:10 p.m. and 6:15 p.m., police said Thursday. Police described the suspect as a white male in his 30s, approximately 5'9' tall, who was last seen wearing a long brown trench coat. On Friday, May 30, around 7:42 p.m. officers arrested an adult man in connection with the vandalism of the Veterans of World War II, Korea, and Vietnam War Memorial The man is facing criminal charges, including Vandalism to a War and/or Veterans Memorial, and is also undergoing a mental health evaluation. The incident remains under investigation. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Police seek public's help in identifying suspect after Brighton war memorial vandalized
Boston Police are seeking the public's help in identifying a suspect after the Veterans of World War II, Korea, and Vietnam War Memorial in Brighton was vandalized. The war memorial, located at the intersection of Cambridge and Henshaw streets in Brighton, was vandalized on Wednesday, May 21, between approximately 6:10 p.m. and 6:15 p.m., police said Thursday. Police described the suspect as a white male in his 30s, approximately 5'9' tall, who was last seen wearing a long brown trench coat. Detectives are actively investigating the incident, police said. Anyone with information for investigators is strongly urged to call Boston Police detectives at 617-343-4256. Community members who wish to provide information anonymously may also call the CrimeStoppers tip line at 1-800-494-TIPS, text the word 'TIP' to CRIME (27463), or submit a tip via the department's website. Photos and videos related to this investigation may also be submitted anonymously. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
Epoch Times
30-04-2025
- General
- Epoch Times
50 Years On, Survivors Guilt Lingers Over Vietnam Veterans and Families
SHOW LOW, Ariz.—In every war, combat veterans grapple with a profound and haunting question: why did I survive while others did not? Decades after the Vietnam War concluded on April 30, 1975, the weight of 'survivor's guilt' continues to overshadow many families, particularly those whose loved ones returned forever changed. Veterans and family members of those who survived the war shared their memories, the challenges of reintegration, and the lasting impact the experience has had on their lives with the Epoch Times since the fall of Saigon 50 years ago. A Mother's Burden Karen Hook's late brother, Vernon Stearns, was a Green Beret in Vietnam, an elite special forces soldier coming from a family of 'Army brats' who loved their flag and country. When the family went days on end without hearing from Vernon during the war, Hook could sense the impact it had on her mother. Her mother would fall silent and try to remain strong. Finally, the news would arrive that he was safe after another mission. The family rejoiced every time. Related Stories 5/17/2024 10/16/2023 'It was difficult for the entire family,' Hook, 70, recalled, reflecting on the long-ago days of the Vietnam War. 'But I think it's the mother who suffers the most out of everybody.' In 1971, the war finally ended for her older brother. Although he survived physically, he returned home as a changed person. 'He didn't talk about Vietnam very much,' Hook, the director of Turn of the Card Community Center in Show Low, Arizona, told The Epoch Times. 'The only thing that was hard for him was that he came back with [post-traumatic stress disorder] and a few other things.' Flowers with messages of gratitude are left at the Vietnam War Memorial near the Little Saigon section in Westminster, Calif., on April 28, brother had difficulty sleeping. He started having frequent night terrors that made him wake up screaming. In his thoughts, he was experiencing the war all over again. His wife struggled to cope with the emotional trauma and survivor's guilt her husband experienced, but it was overwhelming. The couple eventually decided to get a divorce. Hook said that her brother never expressed his feelings about the war, as he kept them locked away in a vault of privacy. 'But I'm sure my brother felt [guilt],' she said. 'I've had other friends who returned feeling guilty.' A Recognized Condition The Department of Veterans Affairs recognizes survivor's guilt in veterans as a component of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Its symptoms include recurring memories or dreams of the traumatic event, emotional numbness, irritability, and anxiety. A visitor pays homage at the Vietnam veterans traveling wall in Camp Verde, Ariz., on March 29, 2023. Allan Stein/The Epoch Times A corollary of PTSD and survivor's guilt is the 'moral injury' experienced by many returning soldiers due to the orders they followed. Moral injury is not classified as a psychiatric disorder, though it shares many characteristics with PTSD, according to Veterans Affairs. Moral injuries can arise from direct involvement in combat actions, such as killing or harming opponents or civilians. They can also result from indirect experiences, such as witnessing death, failing to prevent others' questionable actions, or giving or receiving orders they view as serious moral transgressions. Weight of War On a broader level, survivor's guilt is a terrible burden, as the soldier must also carry the weight of those who have died. 'Survivor's guilt is an often misunderstood yet profoundly impactful emotional experience, particularly prevalent among veterans,' according to Cumberland Hall Hospital in Hopkinsville, Kentucky. 'Survivor's guilt is a psychological response to surviving a situation where others have died or suffered. It is common among veterans who have returned from combat zones.' The condition involves feelings of self-blame, depression, and sadness—powerful emotions that can be difficult to process or resolve. Mary Johnson in Show Low, Ariz., on April 2, 2025. Allan Stein/The Epoch Times The Vietnam War (1964-1973) officially ended 50 years ago on April 30, 1975, when Saigon fell to communist North Vietnamese forces. The conflict resulted in the loss of 58,220 U.S. soldiers. Thousands of emotionally scarred veterans returned home and were never the same again. Junior Garrison, 82, a veteran from Arizona, feels that the enduring psychological impact of war is the price one pays for having served. Garrison served in the Army from 1961 to 1981 and spent 13 months in Vietnam. 'You know, anybody that goes to war for too long and it doesn't affect them, there's something wrong with them,' Garrison told The Epoch Times. He said that some people managed to avoid the military draft during the war. He decided to enlist instead. 'There were a lot of people that went to Canada,' he said. 'There were a lot of people that went to college.' 'I came back from Vietnam.' The military draft recruited more than 2 million men during the war, while about 9 million served voluntarily from a pool of approximately 27 million. In 1969, the Army deployed Garrison's unit to a forward air base in South Vietnam, where they encountered numerous rocket attacks from the Viet Cong. Garrison said that he didn't know any of the men who died in the attacks, but their deaths are something that would stay with him forever. Fishers of Men for Veterans co-founder Marty Jarvey prepares backpacks filled with supplies for homeless veterans in east-central Arizona on Jan. 31, 2025. Allan Stein/The Epoch Times 'Oh, yeah. I've talked to a lot of people—it's a guilty feeling,' Garrison said. 'But you know what? It's a normal reaction.' Where Have They Gone? Mary Johnson, 83, from Arizona, lost her husband, Gary, 15 years ago at age 67 due to complications related to Agent Orange exposure in Vietnam. 'He was never sick a day in his life,' Johnson said. Agent Orange was the code name for the herbicide and defoliant used by the military during the Vietnam War, specifically in Operation Ranch Hand, which took place from 1962 to 1971. She described her husband as a man with a dedicated military career who trained for combat. 'He was a [Army] scout dog and had a scout dog platoon,' she said. 'They were out in the jungle all the time.' Junior Garrison, 82, in Show Low, Ariz., on April 2, 2025. Allan Stein/The Epoch Times Gary's second tour involved being an adviser to the South Vietnamese, 'so he lived out in the jungle with them.' Johnson said her husband decided to stay for six additional months in place of a brother, whose platoon had been 'wiped out' by the North Vietnamese. 'He stayed so his brother wouldn't have to go back,' she said. Johnson does not remember her husband ever displaying signs of trauma related to combat. 'He said the worst thing that happened to him was he stubbed his toe on the way to the showers,' she said. However, her husband did not leave the battlefield unscathed. He lost friends and spent years searching for other comrades after the war. 'We did find one in Las Cruces, New Mexico,' Johnson said. 'And there was one—his last name was Ivy. [Gary] tried and tried and tried to find him. 'He never found him—and he was sad about that.' Ronald Eugene Hudson, 74, divides his time between Arizona and Costa Rica. He spent 26 years in the Navy and served during the Vietnam War. 'I talked with one guy. If I remember, he was from Kansas,' Hudson said. 'He said he felt guilty that he came back alive. And half of the friends that he was in the company with didn't even come back at all.' 'I've never had the guilt,' Hudson told The Epoch Times, 'but what I have is a lot of respect for anybody that went over there and came back.' 'They Were Soldiers, and Young' Marty Jarvey from Lakeside, Arizona, is a former member of the Nurse Corps during the Vietnam War. As a nurse, she witnessed the devastating aftermath of the war while supporting U.S. soldiers in North Vietnamese prison camps. 'You were there to help them, and then, all of a sudden, they died,' Jarvey said. 'Skinny, bones, no hair.' She said it was even harder to see how they looked in photographs as young men, full of life. Jarvey spent around three weeks traveling between the orphanages and prisoner of war camps, providing assistance to those in need and helping with the delivery of bodies for repatriation. 'Do I feel guilty? Do I feel sad because there was something I could have done to control it? There's nothing you could control there,' Jarvey told The Epoch Times. 'The mass destruction was already there. What were you going to do?' More than 1,800 burial plots were decorated with flags on Memorial Day at the Arizona Veterans Memorial Cemetery on May 27, 2023. Allan Stein/The Epoch Times One day, while living in Southern California, Karen Hook's father built a flagpole in the family's front yard. He raised Old Glory, around which they gathered to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. She recalled this as a happy time in her childhood when war and heartache felt distant. 'I remember it as the most wonderful country in the world,' Hook said. 'I still feel that way.'
Yahoo
30-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Observing National Vietnam Veterans Day in Luzerne County
WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Veterans from one of America's most controversial wars are being remembered this weekend nationwide, including northeastern Pennsylvania. A National Vietnam Veterans Day Ceremony was held Saturday afternoon on the south lawn of the Luzerne County Courthouse. First grocery store in one local city in over five years The ceremony included a memorial wreath placed at the Vietnam War Memorial. It's dedicated to the 82 Luzerne County men killed during the fighting in Southeast Asia. The Wyoming Valley Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution held Saturday's ceremony in Wilkes-Barre. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
