Supervisor Andrew Do in an undated photo
ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA — Orange County Supervisors Katrina Foley and Vicente Sarmiento released a statement strongly recommending the District Attorney investigate the unaccounted-for funds provided to Viet America Society (VAS) and Hand to Hand Relief Organization (H2H) and supporting the County’s efforts to recover these funds. They also stand against additional extensions beyond the latest August 26, 2024 audit deadline. Additionally, the Supervisors urge the State of California and United States Treasury Department to investigate the use of any state and federal funds allocated to VAS and H2H.
“Today, we join to support and encourage County Counsel’s aggressive pursuit to recover the taxpayer dollars unaccounted for by VAS, H2H, and their principals through every avenue permissible under the law. In light of the obvious delay tactics, clear obstruction, and dismissive response from counsel for VAS and H2H, we have no confidence that these organizations will ever produce proof of lawful expenditures or voluntarily return taxpayer funds,” declared Supervisors Foley and Sarmiento.
Supervisor Katrina Foley added, “The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) existed to support vulnerable seniors, working families, and small businesses struggling as a result of the COVID pandemic – not to enrich the well-connected few. To restore public trust, we request our County Internal Auditor also review all county contracts entered utilizing American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars and request the State and Federal Auditors follow suit. Our duty as County Supervisors is to serve as the watchdog for public funds and protect our tax dollars from abuse.”
Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento further mentioned, “Since late last year, I have consistently advocated for an audit of all public funds directed towards VAS and H2H. Although the majority of the funds were allocated before my tenure in this office, this past January, I drafted an ethics reform initiative for the Board’s consideration which addressed conflicts of interest and increased transparency. Unfortunately, the new Board Rules failed to garner majority support at that time. In response to the continued speculation of misuse of funds, I am collaborating with members of our Orange County Delegation to support SB1111 (Min) and AB 3130 (Quirk-Silva) as legislative solutions to these issues.”