A legal settlement for Garden Grove’s ex-fire chief was not a gift of public funds, according to a legal opinion from an outside attorney hired by the city. The report doesn’t address concerns about potential Brown Act violations.
Author Archives: Thy Vo
Thy is a reporter covering the cities of Anaheim, Garden Grove, and Westminster as well as transportation issues and the courts. She’s the daughter of two Vietnamese refugees and grew up in Anaheim and Orange County’s Little Saigon community. She speaks Vietnamese and conversational Mandarin Chinese.
During her time at Voice of OC, Thy has investigated nepotism and illegal contracts in the city of Garden Grove, an illegal pension arrangement by the Westminster city attorney and controversy over the use of publicly-funded mass mailers by county supervisors.
Thy has received accolades from the Orange County and Southern California Press Clubs, including a second place Best Public Affairs Story award from the OC Press Club for her story “Dick Jones’ Sweet Deal in Westminster,” and a third place Best Feature Story award from the SoCal Press Club for “Struggles of Second Generation Reveal Long Shadow of War.”
Before working for Voice of OC, Thy interned at the Santa Barbara Independent; China Economic Review in Shanghai, China; and Orange County Register. She graduated from Haverford College with a degree in political science.
Languages spoken: English, Vietnamese and Mandarin
Areas of expertise: Anaheim, Garden Grove, Westminster, immigration, pension issues, court coverage and transportation.
Posted inCountywide, Top Stories
Keeping City Hall Accountable: Reflections on the Bell Scandal
The challenge of keeping city hall accountable was on display Thursday at a Chapman University conference examining the transformation of Bell, a working-class suburb of LA that was upended after a 2010 Los Angeles Times article reported the criminally excessive pay of its top officials.
Posted inCountywide, Housing & Homelessness, Top Stories
Report Reveals Harsh Realities Facing OC Veterans
A first-of-its-kind study shows shockingly high rates of mental illness, joblessness and homelessness among recent vets; and a lack of resources for them on a variety of levels.
Posted inCosta Mesa, Countywide, Government, Mission Viejo, Top Stories, Transportation, Yorba Linda
This Week’s Civic Agenda
This Week’s Civic Agenda includes a public hearing in Santa Ana on water and sewer rate hikes, while in Yorba Linda, city officials will discuss an ordinance that would make more information public during the labor negotiations process.
Posted inCountywide, Government, News Briefs, Top Stories
Chapman University Hosts Conference on City of Bell Scandal
Chapman University is hosting a conference on the 2010 city of Bell scandal this Thursday, 9:15am-7:30pm.
Posted inGarden Grove
Garden Grove Mayor Draws Ire With Stand on Riverside Sister City Letter
Residents are angry over Mayor Bao Nguyen’s refusal to support a letter protesting Riverside’s sister city relationship with a Vietnamese city.
Posted inGarden Grove
Garden Grove Council to Cooperate with DA Probe Into Nepotism, Ex-Fire Chief’s Deal
Garden Grove City Council members voted unanimously Tuesday night to waive their attorney-client privilege in an ongoing Orange County District Attorney investigation into potential nepotism in the hiring of former Mayor Bruce Broadwater’s son and into a job deal for the former fire chief.
Posted inNews Briefs
Vote Tally Hasn’t Changed in Recount of Supervisor Election
A recount on the results of the special election for First District Supervisor moves into its second day Tuesday, after the first day of counting failed to move the dial on Andrew Do’s election night lead of 43 votes over former State Sen. Lou Correa.
Posted inGarden Grove
DA Asks Garden Grove to Cooperate With Probe into Nepotism, Fire Chief’s Deal
The Orange County District Attorney’s office is asking the Garden Grove City Council to waive it’s potential attorney-client privileges regarding the former mayor and chief..
Posted inNews Briefs
Long Pham To Be Fined $400 by FPPC
The state Fair Political Practices Commission is looking to fine former State Senate Candidate Long K. Pham $400 for failing to file campaign statements on time.
