In a controversial move during the COVID-19 pandemic, Orange County supervisors allocated $1.2 million each to provide meals for seniors and people with disabilities in their districts, bypassing usual transparency protocols. This funding, sourced from federal relief dollars, allowed them to decide on meal distribution without public votes or competitive bidding.
An investigation revealed that costs varied significantly across districts, with former Supervisor Michelle Steel’s meals costing taxpayers about $24 each, significantly higher than other districts, which averaged around $7 to $11 per meal. Steel’s selected vendor, DTN Tech—a marketing company—was criticized for its lack of experience in food distribution and for ties to her election campaign.
While Steel defended her program as a response to urgent needs during the pandemic, the revelations have sparked calls for greater accountability in how taxpayer funds are managed. The fallout from this scandal highlights ongoing concerns about the supervisors’ handling of public money during a crisis. Read Full Post: https://laist.com/news/politics/michelle-steel-pandemic-meals-campaign-mail-printer-supervisor
Michelle Steel made history as the first Korean immigrant to be elected to Congress from California. This report was presented by Vikki Vargas on NBC4 News on Tuesday, November 10, 2020.
Currently, the contest for California’s 45th Congressional District stands as one of the most competitive races within the state, potentially influencing the balance of power in Congress. Derek Tran aims to defeat Michelle Steel for the position that encompasses portions of Orange County.
