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Voice of OC - Orange County's Nonprofit Newsroom

Voice of OC (https://voiceofoc.org/author/ngerda/)

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Nick Gerda

Nick Gerda

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.

OC Sheriff Investigating Whether Employee Took Part in U.S. Capitol Riot

Safety, Security & Justice
By Nick Gerda | 10 hours ago

The off-duty employee – who has not been identified publicly – is cooperating with the probe, according to the Sheriff’s Department.

Fountain Valley Mayor Jumps into High-Stakes Supervisor Race

Politics & Elections
By Nick Gerda | January 15, 2021

Michael Vo joins fellow Republicans John Moorlach, Mike Posey and Kevin Muldoon, and Democrat Katrina Foley. Voting is set to start next month.

OC’s Top Emergency Response Coordinator Resigns, Heads to Private Sector

Emergencies & Disasters
By Nick Gerda | January 15, 2021

Donna Boston, who directs emergency management, emailed colleagues Thursday to announce she’d be leaving at the end of the day.

Charges Dropped in 67 Criminal Cases Due to Sheriff Evidence Mishandling, DA Reveals

Safety, Security & Justice
By Nick Gerda | January 14, 2021

The dropped charges include assault, battery and smuggling a weapon into the Orange County jail, according to prosecutors.

Vaccine PR Effort for County of Orange Moves Forward With No Budget, No Plan

Government
By Nick Gerda | January 13, 2021

Like much of the county’s coronavirus spending, the ultimate details will be filled in by county bureaucrats, in private, over the next few days.

Will You Take the Covid Vaccine? Orange County is Hiring a PR Firm to Reassure Public

Orange County Coronavirus
By Nick Gerda | January 12, 2021

It’s unclear if the contract will be brought for a public discussion or a public vote by county supervisors.

Sheriff Officials Had Major Vulnerability in How They Handled Cash, Auditors Found

Safety, Security & Justice
By Nick Gerda | January 12, 2021

Auditors found the problem could lead to misuse of government funds in units that handle records and concealed gun licenses.

Judge Pushes Back on OC Sheriff Over Jail Releases, Prepares to Appoint Expert

Safety, Security & Justice
By Nick Gerda | January 11, 2021

Judge Peter Wilson poked holes in the sheriff’s contention that moving inmates out of group living areas is a major threat to the community.

OC Sheriff Faces Tough Questions in Court Today About Jail Outbreak

Safety, Security & Justice
By Nick Gerda | January 8, 2021

The hearing comes as over 1,000 inmates are currently infected with coronavirus. Four are hospitalized, and one has died from the outbreak as of Wednesday.

Orange County Jail Outbreak Explodes to Over 1,000 Inmates Currently Infected With Covid

Safety, Security & Justice
By Nick Gerda | January 7, 2021

One out of every three inmates is currently infected. Sheriff Don Barnes is about to face questions about it from a judge.

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