Santa Ana leaders got into an extensive debate over the proper use of force on protestors as they acknowledged a failure to disclose their military equipment for the past two years.
Author Archives: Noah Biesiada
Noah Biesiada serves as Voice of OC’s county reporter, covering the county board of supervisors and the $9 billion government they oversee.
Biesiada started as an intern in July 2019, helping launch Voice of OC’s disaster news coverage and report on the cities of south Orange County such as Irvine, Mission Viejo, Laguna Niguel, and other coastal cities like Huntington Beach and San Clemente.
Currently, Biesiada’s reporting is focused on county agencies such as the sheriff’s department, the courts, and other departments along with the cities of Irvine and Huntington Beach.
His reporting has led to a host of reforms across Orange County governments including the Orange County Power Authority, the OC Fire Authority and Irvine’s Great Park.
He’s won several awards from state and local press organizations for his reporting on the county’s disaster preparedness, breaking news and other investigations and won 2023 Online Journalist of the Year from the LA Press Club.
Languages spoken: English
Contact: nbiesiada@voiceofoc.org
Posted inTop Stories
OC Democrat Lobbyist Gets Six Months in Jail for Attempted Wire Fraud
After initially facing probation and a fine, a federal judge sentenced Melahat Rafiei to six months in jail after she pleaded guilty to wire fraud and acknowledged she tried bribing two former Irvine council members.
Posted inCountywide
OC Democratic Consultant Who Admitted to Attempted Bribery Could Avoid Jail Time
After she was arrested by federal agents, Melahat Rafiei helped prosecutors go after former Anaheim Mayor Harry Sidhu and former Chamber of Commerce CEO Todd Ament.
Posted inSafety, Security & Justice
OC Supervisors Remove District Attorney’s HR Department After $3 Million Loss
Moving forward, any internal complaints surrounding the county’s elected district attorney will have to go through the county CEO’s office instead of his own.
Posted inEmergencies & Disasters
OC Supervisors Reject Fire Authority Ambulance Plan, Pick Private Contractor
While opponents of the private contractor pointed out recent problems in LA County and the possibility of federal funding for a public program, supervisors said the concerns came too late.
Posted inGovernment
OC Supervisors Greenlight New Ethics Code Without New Enforcement Mechanisms
While supervisors unanimously approved the new language, questions remained on how much of an impact the new guidelines could have.
Posted inTop Stories
OC Supervisors Consider Beefing up Ethics Code
While there’s no severe consequences being proposed, county supervisors argue that the best they can do is encourage people to report rulebreaking and publicly condemn colleagues who flout the rules.
Posted inALL TOP STORIES, Countywide, Government, NEWS, Top Stories
Former OC Supervisor Ordered to Repay $878,000 for Role in Bribery Scheme
U.S. District Court Judge James V. Selna made the ruling in a Monday morning hearing – four days before the disgraced supervisor’s five-year prison sentence is set to begin.
Posted inSafety, Security & Justice
Who’s Paying OC District Attorney Todd Spitzer’s Legal Bills?
After a jury ordered Spitzer to pay a $25,000 fine, he turned to his campaign donors and began fundraising.
Posted inOutdoors
Who Gets a Free Ticket to the Orange County Fair?
While the public faces increased prices to park and enter the OC Fair, leaders hand out thousands of free tickets and host exclusive dinners for local officials and their guests.
