THE COUNTY OF Orange is suing a non-profit organization for what is says is “plundering” of funds intended to feed the elderly (Shutterstock).

The County of Orange is suing a non-profit organization for recovery of millions of dollars intended for the relief of elderly Vietnamese residents which were allegedly instead “plundered” for the benefit of the “personal gain” of associates of the Viet-America Society.

According to the lawsuit filed on Thursday, the VAS diverted the money from providing meals for aged residents to personal use, including buying houses and other items unrelated to relief during the coronavirus pandemic.

The money was directed to VAS by Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do, a former Garden Grove City Council member. He is not being sued.

His daughter, Rhiannon Do, worked for the organization, which was not disclosed at the time of the assignment of the funds to VAS. She is named in the lawsuit.

The lawsuit alleges that the defendant(s) could not provide adequate accounting of how the money was spent. VAS attorney Mark Rosen – also a former Garden Grove councilmember – defended the society, saying the distribution of food was being done urgently during an emergency and that the lawsuit and associated investigations were a “witch hunt.”