The lawsuit demands the release of county emails regarding Supervisor Todd Spitzer’s controversial citizen’s arrest of a man at a Wahoo’s restaurant last year.
Author Archives: 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.
Posted inCountywide, Government, Politics & Elections, Top Stories
Candidates in Key Central OC Races Gather for Forum
Candidates for two key races in central Orange County – First District county supervisor and the 46th congressional district – gathered at Santa Ana College Thursday for a forum.
Posted inGovernment, Investigative, Top Stories
Supervisors Approve Contracts to Build New Animal Shelter
Orange County supervisors, who’ve faced years of criticism for the conditions at the county’s dilapidated World War II-era animal shelter, approved a series of contracts Tuesday to start the design and construction of a new shelter in Tustin.
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 inGovernment, News Briefs, Top Stories
Nelson No Longer a Candidate in Judicial Race
County Supervisor Shawn Nelson, who surprised many in February by filing paperwork to run for a Superior Court judgeship, is no longer a candidate in the June primary.
Posted inGovernment, Health & Wellness, Top Stories
County Undergoing Sea Change in Approach to Child Abuse Prevention
Historically, Orange County children suffering from abuse and neglect would likely end up in a group home. But now county officials are working to keep them in family environments.
Posted inCountywide, Government, Health & Wellness, Housing & Homelessness, Top Stories
Homeless Deaths Spiking in SoCal’s Largest Counties
Last year was a particularly deadly one for people living on the streets of Southern California – and especially in Orange County, where homeless deaths went up a staggering 75 percent in 2015 compared to the previous year.
Posted inCountywide, Inside the Newsroom
Public Invited to Voice of OC’s Open House This Saturday
Our reporters and publisher will be on hand to hear your feedback about Voice of OC and the issues that matter most to you.
Posted inGovernment, Top Stories, Transportation
Supervisors Get an Earful on County Mental Health System Deficiencies
More than 130 people showed up to a hearing organized by supervisors Andrew Do and Lisa Bartlett, with many describing a mental health system that is dysfunctional. But others expressed a sense of hope about its potential.
Posted inGovernment, Investigative, Top Stories
Advocates Level More Accusations Against County Animal Shelter
They showed up to Tuesday’s county supervisors meeting and accused officials of providing false data on the shelter’s kill rate. Meanwhile, officials point to evidence that things are improving.
