Voice of OC (https://voiceofoc.org/author/ngerda/)
Nick covers the city of Santa Ana, as well as the County of Orange, often reporting on issues like homelessness, public safety, mental health, and the role of money in politics. Since joining Voice of OC in 2011, Nick has regularly shed light on topics that are often kept in the shadows. He’s reported on systemic problems in the county’s mental health system. He also led a reporting team that produced sophisticated looks at how the Disney corporation campaign contributions influenced recent elections in Anaheim. Nick also revealed evidence of elected leaders using their official powers to apparently pressure government contractors into donating to their election campaigns, in an article that was awarded best news story of the year by the Orange County Press Club. He firmly believes journalism should inform the public and help hold the powerful accountable. An Orange County native, Nick first started covering local government in his mid-teens, before attending Santa Ana College, the American University in Cairo, and UC Irvine, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in political science. Languages spoken: English, elementary Spanish, minimal Arabic and minimal Japanese Areas of expertise: Local government, local politics, homelessness, mental health policy, campaign finance, California Public Records Act, Ralph M. Brown Act, County of Orange government, Santa Ana city government and municipal finance.
The move came after an appeals court found prosecutors had systemically violated defendants’ rights with an illegal informant program, according to the DA’s office.
The outcome will decide if Republicans keep their 4-to-1 supermajority on the powerful Board of Supervisors.
It comes amid national focus on rising hate crimes, especially against Asian Americans during the pandemic.
A complaint filed with state regulators against Councilman Jose Solorio alleges he’s using a ballot measure committee to get around contribution limits.
Our rundown of the candidates and issues at play in the Orange city election.
The state has issued over $160,000 in fines for laundering money through county-level political parties.
A second residency fraud complaint has been filed against Do, sent this time to District Attorney Todd Spitzer.
A host of competitive local, state and federal seats are up in the November election for voters to decide how government approaches top priorities.
The move by county officials is prompting questions about where people will go next, amid a housing shortage and reduced shelter capacity.
Investigators are looking into a complaint alleging “a money laundering scheme” by Do, who is declining to comment.