Orange County’s newest supervisor, Janet Nguyen, says she has “zero tolerance for corruption and fraud” as she takes over the seat vacated by her disgraced predecessor, Andrew Do, who recently resigned after agreeing to plead guilty to a scheme to steal millions of taxpayer dollars.
In an interview with LAist shortly after her private swearing in ceremony this week, Nguyen also said her top priorities are cleaning up shop, and prioritizing families that have been “destroyed financially by this economy.”
Nguyen’s official term starts in January, but she took office early because the seat was vacant and the O.C. Board of Supervisors accepted the results and declared her the winner.
Do served in the seat for nearly a decade before resigning. Since November of last year, LAist has reported how Do directed county contracts and millions of taxpayer dollars to a nonprofit, Viet America Society (VAS), linked to his daughter, Rhiannon Do. The money was meant to feed seniors during the pandemic and to build a Vietnam War memorial. But federal prosecutors say just 15% of the money earmarked for meals was actually used for that purpose.
Prioritizing efficiency
“There is a new sheriff in town,” Nguyen told LAist.
Cost of living is high, she said, and for families that means grocery trips have become more expensive and many can’t afford to go out for a meal. Nguyen said she wants to make sure their tax dollars are spent wisely and will be looking at “what programs are working, what aren’t working.”
She said she also wants to “streamline processes” so business owners get permits quickly or homeowners can apply for tax assessments…
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