Former Orange County Auditor Andrew Do appeared in federal court Monday on charges of conspiring to steal millions of dollars to feed needy seniors, following a months-long LAist investigation leading to a federal investigation.

Do entered a not guilty plea Monday as a formality, but is expected to change his guilty plea to a single count of bribery conspiracy as part of a deal reached with prosecutors on Thursday.

in this The plea agreement was announced last week Do admitted to accepting more than $550,000 in bribes to direct more than $10 million in COVID funds and votes for a charity affiliated with his daughter Rhiannon Do, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

During the hearing, Do was prohibited from leaving the country, moving, or selling or transferring assets worth more than $10,000 without the court’s permission.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office also announced last week that Rhiannon Do, who admitted to submitting a fraudulent mortgage application that concealed her use of taxpayer money to purchase a home in Tustin, will be placed on three years of probation through a pretrial diversion program.

Andrew Do’s attorney, Paul S. Meyer, issued a written statement to LAist, saying “to respect the legal process, we will not be making a statement at this time.”

Follow the investigation

In November 2023, LAist began investigating how millions of public taxpayer dollars were being spent. In total, LAist uncovered public records showing more than $13 million in public money approved by a little-known nonprofit whose registration state was opened and closed by Rhiannon Do. Much of this money was directed to the group by Controller Do out of public view and was never included on public meeting agendas. He has not publicly disclosed his family ties.

Most of the known funds came from federal coronavirus relief money.

• Read the story that started the investigation: Top OC official helped direct millions to daughter’s center without disclosing family connection
• Since LAist began covering the group two years late Completing the necessary audit to determine whether meal funds are spent appropriately.
• And LAist found the amount of taxpayer money directed to the nonprofit: much larger than initially known. County funds total at least $13.5 million, calculated from government records obtained and published by LAist.
• Following our reporting, OC officials Wrote demand letters to nonprofit organization He said millions in funds were unaccounted for. They warned the nonprofit it might have to repay the funds.
• And LAist found the nonprofit I missed the deadline It was designated by county officials to provide evidence of how meal funding was spent.
• on August 2 LAist reported OC officials were demanding the return of more than $3 million in public funds Do gave to VAS and another nonprofit, Hand to Hand.
• Six days later, LAist reported that Orange County officials refund requests expanded has collected millions of dollars in taxes from nonprofits and threatened legal action.
• On August 15, LAist reported: OC officials sue VAS and its key officials and related businesses, including Rhiannon Do. The lawsuit alleges that county money was used to illegally purchase five homes and was converted into cash through ATM transactions.
• Later on August 19, LAist reported that OC officials stated: announced the second case against Hand in Hand and its CEO will recover millions of taxpayer dollars diverted by Supervisor Do.
• LAist He broke the news on August 22 He said federal agents searched Rhiannon Do’s home in Tustin. Later the same day, Chief Do’s home and other properties were also raided.
• On October 16, LAist reported that the wife of Supervisor Do’s top aide had been hired for a $275,000 contract. District officials say work wasn’t delivered and two days later LAist reported a court filing. approved federal grand jury were gathered and summons were issued.
• Six days later, federal prosecutors arrested Andrew Do. agreed to plead guilty to a conspiracy to commit bribery. They said Do accepted more than $550,000 in bribes in favor of more than $10 million in COVID funds to VAS for directing and voting. He resigned from the directorate on the same day.