FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 22, 2024
Alyssa Napuri – Deputy Chief of Staff, Supervisor Foley
(657) 334-4930 (text preferred) | Alyssa.Napuri@ocgov.com
OC Supervisor Katrina Foley Releases Statement Regarding the Raids on Various Residential and Commercial Properties Connected to VAS by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI)
ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA — Today, Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley released a statement of support to the raids by Federal Investigators on the various residential properties and businesses of VAS principals, Peter Pham and Rhiannon Do. The Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) were on the scene with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The properties are central to the lawsuit filed by the County of Orange on August 15, 2024, which outlines various residential and commercial properties allegedly purchased by VAS principals and their co-defendants who received COVID-era relief funding.
“Federal Investigators answered our call to investigate the potential criminal activities by VAS and their principals. I continue to stand with law enforcement as they rigorously pursue the recovery of our public tax dollars from the blatant fraud and abuse by the individuals running VAS,” said Supervisor Katrina Foley. “The concerns raised by our County staff were clearly warranted, and I stand in support of all efforts to bring forward justice to our taxpayers.”
Background:
On August 14, 2024, OC Supervisors Katrina Foley and Vicente Sarmiento demanded the County of Orange legal counsel take immediate and swift action to recover the unaccounted public funds from H2H, VAS and their principals through every legal avenue. Additionally, the Supervisors urged County, State, and Federal officials to investigate the improper use of funds from H2H, VAS, and their principals.
On August 15, 2024, following calls by the Supervisors for investigation and immediate action, the County of Orange filed a lawsuit against VAS, Aloha Financial, and their principals after their investigation found that the principals of VAS allegedly purchased six real property investments using funds intended to feed hungry seniors and build a Vietnam War Memorial.
On August 19, 2024, the County of Orange filed a lawsuit against Hand to Hand Relief Organization to recover the public dollars they received for meal recovery during the pandemic. More than $600,000 of the H2H pandemic relief grants were transferred to VAS and H2H allegedly used the funds for illusory loan payments to CEO Nguyen’s separate businesses, private rental payments to Aloha Financial, and for voluminous cash withdrawals.
Both cases were transferred to San Diego County Superior Court due to conflicts with Supervisor Andrew Do’s wife, who currently serves as an Orange County Superior Court Judge.
Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) is the United States federal law enforcement agency responsible for investigating potential criminal violations of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code and related financial crimes, such as money laundering, currency transaction violations, tax-related identity theft fraud and terrorist financing that adversely affect tax administration. While other federal agencies also have investigative jurisdiction for money laundering and some Bank Secrecy Act violations, IRS-CI is the only federal agency that can investigate potential criminal violations of the Internal Revenue Code, in a manner intended to foster confidence in the tax system and deter violations of tax law. Criminal Investigation is a division of the Internal Revenue Service, which in turn is a bureau within the United States Department of the Treasury.
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Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley was elected to the Board of Supervisors in 2022 to represent the newly established District 5, which includes the cities of Aliso Viejo, Costa Mesa, Dana Point, a large portion of Irvine, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Newport Beach, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, as well as the unincorporated areas of Coto de Caza, Emerald Bay, Ladera Ranch, Las Flores, Rancho Mission Viejo, Stonecliffe and Wagon Wheel. This is her second term on the Board of Supervisors, where she previously served District 2.
Supervisor Foley’s Board appointments include the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA), OCFA Legislation & Public Affairs Committee Chair, Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA), OCTA Legislative and Communications Committee Vice Chair, Los Angeles – San Diego – San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) Rail Corridor Agency, Transportation Corridor Agency (TCA), TCA Joint Environmental Committee, Coastal Greenbelt Authority, Newport Bay and South Orange County Watershed Executive Committees, Ocean Institute, San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) Community Engagement Panel, Spent Fuel Solutions Coalition Co-Chair, Orange County Housing Finance Trust Chair, and the Orange County Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council.
