Federal authorities have frozen the bank accounts of the Viet America Society and forced the nonprofit to immediately stop delivering free meals to the elderly from a Westminster restaurant, the charity’s attorney said Wednesday, August 28.
Attorney Mark Rosen said authorities also suspended the account of the Perfume River Restaurant and Lounge, which prepared the meals. There will be no more meals at the restaurant on Friday, he said.
Officials from the FBI and the IRS Criminal Investigation Division declined to comment on whether the bank accounts had been frozen.
The county has filed a civil lawsuit against the Viet America Society and some of its executives, accusing the nonprofit of embezzling nearly $10 million earmarked for the nutrition gap program. First District Supervisor Andrew Do funneled the funds to the nonprofit from his discretionary funds. On Friday, federal agents searched the home of VAS President Peter Pham, a North Tustin home owned by Do, and a home purchased by Do’s daughter Rhiannon, who previously worked for the Viet America Society.
“Because of the county’s sensationalism,” Rosen said, “people will starve.”
Supervisor Katrina Foley said in a text message that county staff can help residents access other services, such as signing up for CalFresh.
Tammy Nguyen, 78, of Westminster said she and her husband, who is diabetic, have relied on meals at Perfume River since the pandemic.
She was put on a waiting list of “a couple hundred people” to receive food deliveries, but in the meantime, she and a neighbor drove to Perfume River to pick up their free lunch. Because her husband signed up for food deliveries early, Nguyen said he has had food delivered twice a week.
Nguyen’s husband received a text message from an unknown number late Tuesday night saying that food deliveries had been suspended until further notice. No reason was given.
“I don’t know what Mr. Do did, but I know it has affected not only my benefits but also those of many others here,” Nguyen said. “I live in a trailer park, and many people have stayed home, don’t drive because of their age and low income, and rely on food deliveries.”
Representatives of the Viet America Society said the organization provided the meals as contracted, but lacked documentation. The organization missed deadlines to submit a government-required audit and other requested documentation to district authorities.
“The county has cut services for the people who need them most,” Rosen said. “These programs are well-intentioned … and then later on you have all the bean counters who want to make a name for themselves and demand that every i be dotted and every t be crossed.”
Nguyen’s daughter, Dina Nguyen of Garden Grove, said she is not interested in politics but is concerned about the impact it will have on seniors in Do’s district.
“I don’t know what Supervisor Do did or what will come of it,” she said, “but our residents, especially our most vulnerable seniors and disabled people, should not be the ones penalized for this.”
This is a developing story, please check back later for updates.
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