As an elected official, I am entrusted with the public’s confidence to act as their representative in the state government — a solemn responsibility I hold in the highest regard.
The recent news of former Supervisor Andrew Do’s guilty plea and resignation is extremely troubling, not only for the severity of the charges but the audacity of the behavior that was brought to light.
No level of punishment will fully restore the public’s trust in government following this alarming news.
Public corruption is the absolute worst breach of trust by elected officials and it erodes the confidence between political leaders and their constituents.
When officials act with impunity, exploiting their positions for personal gain, it undermines the integrity of the entire political system.
I am so grateful to the staff at the US Attorney’s Office, the Orange County District Attorney, and all of the law enforcement involved that brought this matter to justice.
Corruption needs to be rooted out and exposed regardless of the perpetrator. Anyone who uses their office for personal gain for themselves or their family members must face serious consequences.
Unfortunately, former Supervisor Do’s case is not an isolated one. Recent reporting by the Orange County Register also brought to light a pair of cases in which two candidates misrepresented nomination papers to get on the ballot.
These recent news stories seem to suggest a culture of corruption in Orange County that cannot go ignored. While each case is serious in its own right, these developments, viewed collectively, paint a hugely unsettling picture of governance in Orange County — one that raises significant concerns about the guardrails meant to protect the public.
This pattern forces us to ask serious questions about the effectiveness of these guardrails we currently have in place. Are there enough checks in place to hold leaders to account? For my part, I will always advocate for more transparency and accountability from our elected leaders and my fellow legislators.
In the Legislature, I supported several bills that would enhance transparency in local government.
Among the bills signed by the governor last month, I voted for one that prohibits government contracts to nonprofits where a family member is employed and another bill that requires contracts to be voted on at public board meetings.
These reforms are critical to bring sunlight into the work of debating public policy in government.
I am cognizant that more work must be done. These initial bills are a first step into bringing about accountability in government and restoring faith in our processes. I look forward to putting forward meaningful, bipartisan legislation to prevent future corruption of this scale.
We must continue to demand a government that is responsive, accountable, and transparent at every level. Only then can we rebuild the trust that has been damaged and ensure that our government serves the public interest, not personal gain.
Tri Ta serves in the California Assembly representing the 70th Assembly District.
