Michael M Nguyen is accused of embezzling $4.3 million from the city and covering up the activity by altering the city’s financial ledgers. He faces 17 counts of misappropriation of public funds and up to 29 years in prison.
Author Archives: Adam Elmahrek
Posted inCountywide, Irvine, Top Stories
Bad Feng Shui Doesn’t Sway Irvine Council on Vets Cemetery
A proposed land swap would have resolved concerns from Chinese home buyers that living next to a cemetery is bad feng shui. But A majority of council members said changing course might derail the cemetery altogether.
Posted inHealth & Wellness, Santa Ana
What Would it Cost to Shut Down Santa Ana’s Jail?
The Santa Ana City Council is, for the first time, publicly considering whether to shutter its controversial city jail. But a back-of-the-napkin analysis of the potential costs of such a decision shows why it’s a “tough nut to crack.”
Posted inCountywide, News Briefs, Santa Ana, Top Stories
Santa Ana Councilman Lashes Out Against County Supervisor
Councilman Vincent Sarmiento last week unleashed a stinging rebuttal to criticism of city officials’ handling of the homeless problem by Supervisor Shawn Nelson.
Posted inCountywide, Investigative, Top Stories
Hooray! It’s Form 700 Day
Every April 1, public officials are required to file public statements of economic interest. It’s a most wonderful day for journalists as we find the myriad ways in which some of our leaders exploit their public offices for personal gain.
Posted inCountywide, Health & Wellness, Santa Ana, Top Stories
Even With ‘Chaos’ on July 4th, Santa Ana Council Reluctant to Douse Firework Sales
After some city neighborhoods lit up like war zones during last year’s holiday, police officials want a total ban on fireworks. But council members are reluctant to quash an American tradition and kill a vital source of revenue for nonprofits.
Posted inCountywide, Santa Ana, Top Stories
Despite Gang Injunction, Reports of Shootings Remain High in Townsend
The number of shootings reported inside Santa Ana’s Townsend Street gang injunction zone remained essentially unchanged before and after the zone was implemented. Critics say it’s evidence that the injunction isn’t working, but Police Chief Carlos Rojas says the picture isn’t so clear.
Posted inSeal Beach
CalAware: Seal Beach Council Broke Open Meetings Law
Council members violated the law by meeting secretly to approve a costly lobbying contract, according to open government advocates. While not admitting wrongdoing, the council promised Monday to not break the law in the future.
Posted inCountywide, Government, Top Stories, Transportation
Transportation Authority Beset by Years of Faulty Sales Tax Forecasts
The Orange County Transportation Authority Board of Directors Monday morning chose a new forecaster after several years of assumptions by a trio of universities proved inaccurate.
Posted inAnaheim, Countywide, Top Stories
Anaheim Might Steer $320 Million in Tax Subsidies to Hoteliers
City Manager Paul Emery confirmed the city could award room-tax subsidies for three or four upcoming luxury hotel projects. With this news, deep divisions among council members resurfaced at Tuesday’s meeting.
