butters
High on a Hill
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- Jul 2, 2009
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California Politician Agrees to Resign, Plead Guilty to Bribery Conspiracy for Covid-Relief Scheme
A California Republican in local politics agreed to resign and plead guilty to accepting more than $550,000 in bribes between 2020 and 2023 as part of a conspiracy to funnel over $10 million in Covid-19 relief funds to a nonprofit connected to one of his daughters, the Department of Justice announced Tuesday.
Do abused his power by voting in favor of and directing millions of dollars in state and federal Covid-related funds to Viet America Society (VAS), the U.S. attorney’s office for the Central District of California said in a press release. He did not disclose the charity’s connections to his 23-year-old daughter, Rhiannon.
The funds were intended to provide meals for the elderly and needy, but they were instead used to benefit companies affiliated with VAS, Do’s family, other conspirators, and Do himself.
“This money was intended to provide meals to the people who needed most in our community,” U.S. attorney Martin Estrada said during a Tuesday press conference. “The scheme essentially functioned like Robin Hood in reverse.” Only 15 percent of $9.3 million in taxpayer dollars went toward feeding people in need, Estrada noted.