SANTA ANA, Calif.
Federal prosecutors have indicted Peter Anh Pham, 65, founder of the now-defunct nonprofit Viet America Society, in a 15-count indictment alleging he bribed former Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do to funnel $12 million in COVID-19 relief funds into his own pockets.
Pham is currently a fugitive, officials announced Friday.
Also charged is Thanh Huong Nguyen, 61, of Santa Ana, who faces wire fraud and money laundering charges for her role in the scheme through her organization, Hand-to-Hand Relief.
According to the indictment, from 2020 to 2024, Do used his position to steer pandemic funds to Pham and Nguyen’s groups.
In return, Pham funneled bribes to Do via payments to his daughters. The nonprofit leaders then laundered most of the money through shell entities, using it to pay off personal debts, cover rent, and even purchase real estate.
Do, who resigned in October 2024, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bribery and is awaiting sentencing. His former chief of staff also allegedly helped manipulate contracts and reporting to benefit Pham and Nguyen.
Investigators say the nonprofits submitted falsified invoices and routed public funds through a fake air conditioning company to conceal the theft.
In total, about $12 million was misappropriated.
If convicted, Pham and Nguyen each face up to 20 years in prison for wire fraud and money laundering. Pham faces an additional 10 years for bribery.
The case is being investigated by the FBI, IRS, and Orange County DA’s Office.