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Supes right to be angry at Do wrist slap

May 14, 2025

One of the most bizarre anecdotes from the debate about disgraced former Supervisor Andrew Do’s federal plea deal involving a “conspiracy to commit bribery” came from his attorney’s response to supervisors who think he ought to receive a tougher sentence: “Politically-motivated attempts to influence the justice system are reprehensible.”

Sure, politicians always have political motives, but the real outrage should remain focused on Do and the actions he took that wreaked havoc on Orange County’s government, taxpayers and justice system.

Let’s remember what took place. “While millions of Americans were dying from COVID-19, … Do was the fox in the hen house personified, raiding millions in federal pandemic relief funds and orchestrating the money intended to feed elderly and ailing residents to instead fill the pockets of insiders, himself and his loved ones,” said District Attorney Todd Spitzer.

Do’s sentencing is June 9. Some supervisors are upset at his rather modest sentence. Janet Nguyen, who now represents the seat that Do disgraced, wrote in a Register op-edthat, “He’s getting preferential treatment.” She pointed to much stiffer sentences in other public-corruption cases.

The board voted 3-1-1 on April 30 to send a letter to the judge calling on Do to serve at least five years and to repay the COVID money the county lost because of his behavior. We’re not sure what it might take to get Supervisor Don Wagner—the single vote against the letter—to find his moral compass. He sounded a lot like Do’s defense attorney, as he argued that it was wrong for elected officials to tell prosecutors and judges how to do their job.

We agree with Supervisors Nguyen, Katrina Foley and Vicente Sarmiento, who said that they were merely voicing their concerns as victims. As usual, Supervisor Don Chaffee tried to have it both ways and abstained from the vote. We don’t claim to know the right prison sentence, but returning the funds should be non-negotiable.

And there’s nothing wrong with supervisors—or editorial writers—reminding judges to stay focused on the real culprit here.

Orange County Register

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Supes right to be angry at Do wrist slap

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