FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 12, 2024
Alyssa Napuri – Deputy Chief of Staff, Supervisor Foley
(657) 334-4930 | Alyssa.Napuri@ocgov.com
Yasie Malek Goebel – Chief of Staff, Supervisor Sarmiento
714-834-3220 | Yasie.Goebel@ocgov.com
OC Supervisors Katrina Foley and Vicente Sarmiento Demand Viet America Society (VAS) and Hand to Hand Relief Organization (H2H) Immediately Return Unaccounted for Taxpayer Funds and Request Investigations and Audits from County, State, and Federal Officials
ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA — Today, 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.”
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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.
Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento was elected to the Orange County Board of Supervisors in November 2022. He represents the Second District, which includes the city of Santa Ana and portions of Garden Grove, Tustin, Orange, and Anaheim. Previously, he served the Santa Ana community as a Councilmember from 2008–2020 and as Mayor from 2020–2022.
Currently, he serves as Chair of the Commission to End Homelessness and Vice Chair on the CalOptima Health Board of Directors. He also serves on the California Volunteers Commission, the Orange County Transportation Authority, Behavioral Health Advisory Board and Orange County Housing Finance Trust.
For more information, visit SupervisorSarmiento.com.
