Orange County filed a lawsuit against Viet America Society Thursday afternoon, Aug. 15, accusing group members of using COVID relief money for “personal gain,” including the purchase of six properties, among them a Tustin house purchased in 2023 by Rhiannon Do, daughter of Supervisor Andrew Do.
In the suit, county officials accuse the group, its CEO Peter Pham, Rhiannon Do and other affiliates of committing a breach of contract, conspiracy, and constructive fraud, among other complaints.
Starting in 2020, Viet America Society received more than $10 million in COVID relief funds, mostly through Supervisor Do’s discretionary funds. That money was allocated to provide a nutrition gap program. Do has been publicly criticized for not disclosing that his daughter, Rhiannon Do, held revolving leadership roles at VAS, but that is not a violation of county policy or state law.
“Instead of using these funds to assist the county’s most vulnerable populations, defendant Viet America Society, and its officers and associates, brazenly plundered these funds for their own personal gain,” the lawsuit alleges. “Defendants saw the opportunity, and conspired to embezzle pandemic relief funds by executing contracts that they never intended to perform, instead using the funding streams as their own personal banking accounts.”
The group has missed multiple deadlines set by the county to complete what is called a single audit — required because of the involvement of federal funds — showing the group properly spent the money to feed shuttered seniors during the pandemic.
The county is demanding the return of about $4.2 million in funds by Aug. 26, and County Counsel Leon Page, in an Aug. 7 letter, said his office would recommend litigation to claw back the funding if necessary.
Viet America Society lawyer Mark Rosen said he wanted to read the lawsuit before commenting.
Earlier in the day Thursday, Rosen shared a letter he said he sent to county officials on Monday saying the demand to repay the money the group had spent on providing services is “overreaching and, frankly, outrageous.”
“Every meal contracted for was prepared and delivered,” the letter says. “Any flaws in reporting were technical flaws caused by the unique circumstances of the COVID pandemic.”
This story is developing, please check back for updates.
Related Articles
Trader Joe’s opens Friday in Ladera Ranch
Westminster City Councilmember Amy Phan West formally censured
What can medieval literature tell us about modern conspiracy theories? Quite a lot, Fullerton professor says
Why Mission Viejo City Council seats aren’t on the November election ballot
Excitement for first day back to class in Mission Viejo
Leave a Reply