Rhiannon Do, an executive of the Viet America Society (VAS) and daughter of Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do, purchased the home in the city of Tustin in July 2023 for $1.035 million, according local reports.
Federal authorities raided a million-dollar home in Orange County on Thursday allegedly purchased with taxpayer money by the daughter of county Republican supervisor Andrew Do following a lawsuit filed last week surrounding embezzlement of over $13 million in COVID relief funds.
Do’s daughter, Rhannon, an executive of the Viet America Society (VAS), purchased the home in the city of Tustin in July 2023 for $1.035 million, according local reports.
FBI spokesperson Laura Eimiller confirmed to local media that a search warrant was served at the location with a supporting affidavit, though she declined to comment further, noting that “no arrests are planned.”
Rhiannon previously told the LAist she “worked hard for her home” and denied any wrongdoing when purchasing the home. However, a civil lawsuit filed by the county accuses the supervisor’s daughter, VAS, and its president Peter Pham of “pervasive self-dealing, pocketing local and federal funds.”
Authorities also raided a home in Garden Grove allegedly belonging to Pham, who has not yet made any public comments.
The county’s lawsuit claimed the accused of not feeding the elderly and disabled with the pandemic funds as agreed but instead used the money to buy six properties and make extravagant purchases, treating public tax dollars as their own.
Supervisor Do, whose name is not in the county’s lawsuit, reportedly awarded over $10 million through his district’s discretionary funds to the nonprofit his daughter formed in 2020 without revealing the family relationship. Although county policy or state law does not require him to disclose the family connection, Do has faced widespread criticism for lack of transparency.
Earlier this month, LAist reported Orange County authorities ordered the nonprofit to return more than $2 million after failing to show proof that the money was used to feed vulnerable communities. The organization later hired auditors, who were fired shortly after the investigation revealed that VAS officials did not follow audit requirements.
Do also directed another $1 million in funds to another non-profit called Hand to Hand Relief Organization, which the county demanded back after allegations that a portion of the money was funneled back to the VAS.
The supervisor has denied any wrongdoing.
Do, whose term runs out this year, has faced a number of calls for his resignation.
