A complaint filed with state regulators against Councilman Jose Solorio alleges he’s using a ballot measure committee to get around contribution limits.
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
With Hot-Button Development on Ballot, Orange Voters to Decide on Mayor and Council
Our rundown of the candidates and issues at play in the Orange city election.
Posted inCountywide
County Political Parties as Money Laundering Vehicles for Politicians
The state has issued over $160,000 in fines for laundering money through county-level political parties.
Posted inGovernment
DA Receives Residency Fraud Complaint Against Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do
A second residency fraud complaint has been filed against Do, sent this time to District Attorney Todd Spitzer.
Posted inCountywide
Orange County Voter Guide: November 2020 Election
A host of competitive local, state and federal seats are up in the November election.
Posted inCountywide
OC to Close Motel Program Sheltering Over 500 Homeless People at High Coronavirus Risk
The move by county officials is prompting questions about where people will go next, amid a housing shortage and reduced shelter capacity.
Posted inCountywide
State Launches Money Laundering Investigation into Andrew Do and OC Republican Party
Investigators are looking into a complaint alleging “a money laundering scheme” by Do, who is declining to comment.
Posted inCountywide
1.7 Million Mail-In Election Ballots Will Arrive at OC Voters’ Homes in Next Few Days
Top county and state election officials warn they will have zero tolerance for intimidating voters or fraud.
Posted inCountywide
Top Aides to Andrew Do Blew Off Investigators in Money Laundering Probe That Led to $40,000 Fine
Two of Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do’s top aides were previously involved with a state election campaign that pled guilty to laundering $65,000 in campaign money.
Posted inCountywide
Sheriff’s Supervisors Allowed Late Evidence Booking; Only Deputies Disciplined, Grand Jury Heard
Sheriff’s supervisors knowingly allowed deputies to book evidence late in violation of policy according to Sheriff’s officials testimony, the latest twist in the evidence-booking scandal.
