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Orange County supervisors urge DOJ to review plea deal for former supervisor Andrew Do; board votes 4-1
Summary
The Orange County Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution asking the U.S. Department of Justice to review the plea agreement and sentencing recommendation in United States v. Andrew Do and to advance any further investigation. The board authorized county counsel to send a formal letter to the U.S. Attorney General; the measure passed 4-1.
The Orange County Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 on April 22 to adopt a resolution urging the U.S. Department of Justice to review the plea agreement and sentencing recommendation in United States v. Andrew Do and to advance any investigation into others allegedly involved.
The resolution, introduced by Supervisor Janet Nguyen and co-sponsored by Chair Doug Chaffee and Supervisor Wynne, also directed county counsel to send a formal letter to the U.S. attorney general requesting that review. The board took public comment on the item before the roll call vote.
Why it matters: The resolution asks a federal law enforcement authority to reassess a high-profile local corruption case and calls attention to whether the plea and sentence in a pandemic-related procurement matter are commensurate with the alleged harms. County officials said the action is intended to signal the county’s interest in full review and potential further prosecution of others if warranted.
What the board did: Supervisor Nguyen moved the resolution and the board approved it. The clerk recorded votes as follows: Supervisor Wynne — Aye; Vice Chair Katrina Foley — Aye; Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento — Yes; Supervisor Wagner — No; Chair Doug Chaffee — Aye. The motion carried 4 to 1.
Public comment: Members of the Vietnamese-American community addressed the board before the vote. Calvin Qui Hao told supervisors, “You have the voice. The voice that representing us. That’s why we are asking you to use that voice.” Another speaker, Fat Buie, president of the Vietnamese American Federation of Southern California, said the plea deal “does not reflect the seriousness of his actions” and urged the board to support the resolution so “real accountability” is pursued.
Board debate and positions: Supporters said the county should press for further review because new material and community concerns have emerged since the plea was negotiated. Supervisor Wynne said the resolution seeks scrutiny of the process and urged follow‑up at sentencing, including potential victim impact materials or an amicus brief when appropriate. Opponents cautioned the board against intervening in ongoing federal prosecution and said judges and prosecutors are the appropriate decision makers; Supervisor Wagner voted no and said the board lacked sufficient factual basis to second‑guess prosecutorial decisions.
Next steps: The board authorized county counsel to send a formal letter to the U.S. attorney general requesting review and to advance any DOJ investigation into other individuals if warranted. The resolution does not itself change the underlying criminal case or sentencing schedule.
Votes at roll call: Wynne — Aye; Foley — Aye; Sarmiento — Yes; Wagner — No; Chaffee — Aye. Outcome: Approved, 4–1.
