Questions are swirling around whether it makes sense to pay the MLB franchise the largest share of the county’s ad dollars meant to help stem rising suicide rates.
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 inSafety, Security & Justice
DA Spitzer Faces Another Racial Comment Claim as Three More Prosecutors File Suit
A high-ranking 20-year DA prosecutor says Spitzer accused her “of being afraid to prosecute a defendant simply because of the defendant’s race.” Spitzer previously denied making racially inappropriate remarks, but did not address the new allegation when asked about it.
Posted inPolitics & Elections
How Truthful Does a Candidate’s Ballot Statement to Voters Need to Be?
This week, amidst a host of legal challenges to various campaigns, one local judge will decide whether DA candidate Peter Hardin can attack incumbent DA Todd Spitzer in an official ballot statement.
Posted inSafety, Security & Justice
OC Leads State in Transferring Inmates to ICE for Possible Deportation, Latest Data Shows
Orange County’s number-one spot drew protest Tuesday from activists who say the sheriff is harming immigrant communities, Sheriff Don Barnes says he’s following the law.
Posted inPolitics & Elections
When Does a Government Website Become a Political Campaign Promotion?
“It sounds like he’s using his official site to campaign,” said Tracy Westen, a government ethics expert. Spitzer’s spokeswoman says the new site provides more useful information for the public.
Posted inPolitics & Elections
Who Wants to Run OC? Here Are the Candidates for June 2022 After Most Deadlines Pass
Here’s the latest list of who wants your vote in June for a host of powerful positions atop government.
Posted inPolitics & Elections
Local NAACP Chapter Calls on Todd Spitzer to Resign, Citing DA’s Treatment of People of Color
“We can’t continue to remain silent,” say NAACP leaders in OC, pointing to an imbalance they’ve witnessed in prosecuting people of color in Orange County.
Posted inCountywide
DA Investigator’s Report Details Concerns DA Spitzer Jeopardized Mass Shooting Case
Spitzer’s conduct drew alarm from three senior DA prosecutors, according to a DA investigator’s report obtained by Voice of OC. Spitzer denies the allegations.
Posted inPolitics & Elections
Who Wants to Run OC? Here’s the Candidates So Far For June 2022 Primary
A host of powerful positions are up for grabs in the June primary election. Here’s who wants your vote so far.
Posted inSafety, Security & Justice
Hardin Was Counseled About Being Seen as a ‘Womanizer’ at OCDA, Says Retired Top Official
Hardin’s supervisor confronted him about the allegations, says Jaime Coulter, who oversaw Hardin’s supervisor. Hardin says Coulter is mistaken.
