OC supervisors advocate for increased transparency and cultural changes in audit discussions after the Andrew Do scandal.

The Orange County Board of Supervisors recently convened to address critical issues of transparency and ethical governance in response to an audit revealing questionable practices under the leadership of former Supervisor Andrew Do. The supervisors publicly discussed the findings of the county-commissioned audit on March 24, highlighting a troubling culture of intimidation that reportedly allowed Do and his chief of staff, Chris Wangsaporn, to direct contracts and payments with minimal oversight.

The audit, conducted by Houston-based accounting firm Weaver, elucidated a systematic undermining of internal controls, indicating that staff members were bullied into silence when questioning decisions related to District 1 contracts. The documented findings implicated Do in accepting 0,000 in bribes in 2024, which were tied to the misallocation of million in pandemic relief funds to charities associated with him, including entities that employed family members. The report noted that the contracts in question were directed toward businesses linked to Do’s political contributions and private interests.

As Do serves a five-year federal prison sentence for his actions, the Board of Supervisors is grappling with reform. Second District Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento emphasized the board’s opportunity to rectify the prevailing culture of influence and intimidation that stifled employee reporting of misconduct. He acknowledged that while it may be unrealistic to completely eradicate unethical behavior, significant improvements can be made to enhance accountability within the government.

In a bid to fortify ethical standards, Supervisor Sarmiento proposed that the board expand the authority of the ethics officer and the county’s ethics commission. Current limitations render these bodies ineffective, according to his assessment. Moreover, he suggested that the board make its public contracts more accessible through online databases, enabling greater transparency for residents.

Fifth District Supervisor Katrina Foley echoed the call for improvement by recommending the establishment of a comprehensive online transparency portal. This platform would facilitate public access to financial documents related to the various board offices. Foley also reported that many of the auditors’ preliminary recommendations had already been implemented, including measures ensuring the legitimacy of nonprofit organizations contracting with the county.

The ongoing oversight process includes extensive audits of county contracts, scrutinizing those amounting to approximately 6 million in taxpayer funds. The next phase of the audit will encompass an additional 681 high-priority contracts valued at .7 billion, with the overall review projected to cover an estimated .2 billion upon conclusion.

The potential for reform within the Board of Supervisors is not merely a localized issue; it reflects broader challenges faced by governmental entities across the nation. Moving forward, the supervisors are determined to establish a more formidable framework that ensures accountability and fosters an environment where ethical governance can flourish.

As investigations continue, First District Supervisor Janet Nguyen has called for a detailed examination of a specific printing contract linked to district events, seeking clarity regarding costs and pricing. She urged that findings from these audits not merely be recorded, but acted upon in a substantive manner.

The scrutiny of county operations is critical to restoring public confidence in local governance. The ongoing efforts reflect a collective commitment to ensure that similar misconduct will not be tolerated in the future.