![Defense attorney labels the former prosecution's conduct in the murder case against Paul Gentile Smith "deceptive and unrelenting." Defense attorney labels the former prosecution's conduct in the murder case against Paul Gentile Smith "deceptive and unrelenting."](https://www.ocregister.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/OCR-L-BAYTIEH-0611-07.jpg?w=132)
![Tony Saavedra. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register)](https://www.ocregister.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/OCR-L-Tony-01.jpg?w=85)
Tony Saavedra
Tony Saavedra is an investigative reporter specializing in legal affairs for the Orange County Register. His work has been recognized by the National Headliner Club, the Associated Press Sports Editors, the California Newspaper Publishers Association, the Orange County Trial Lawyers Association and the Orange County Press Club. His stories have led to the closure of a chain of badly-run group homes, the end of a state program that placed criminals in inappropriate public jobs and the creation of a civilian oversight office for the Orange County Sheriff's Department, among other things. Saavedra has covered the Los Angeles riots, the O.J. Simpson case, the downfall of Orange County Sheriff-turned felon Michael S. Carona and the use of unauthorized drugs by Olympian Carl Lewis. Saavedra has worked as a journalist since 1979 and has held positions at several Southern California newspapers before arriving at the Orange County Register in 1990. He graduated from California State University, Fullerton, in 1981 with a bachelor of arts in communication.
All Stories
![Defense attorney labels the former prosecution's conduct in the murder case against Paul Gentile Smith "deceptive and unrelenting." Defense attorney labels the former prosecution's conduct in the murder case against Paul Gentile Smith "deceptive and unrelenting."](https://www.ocregister.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/OCR-L-BAYTIEH-0611-07.jpg?w=132)
![There are other options for residents needing help with food, including a nutrition program through the Office of Aging, officials said. There are other options for residents needing help with food, including a nutrition program through the Office of Aging, officials said.](https://www.ocregister.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/OCR-L-VASRAID-0823-50-LO-1.jpg?w=132)
Federal agencies have frozen the accounts of Viet America Society and affiliate, lawyer said
![Supervisor Katrina Foley even addressed Do, whom she said she believed was watching the meeting, and called upon him to resign his position. Supervisor Katrina Foley even addressed Do, whom she said she believed was watching the meeting, and called upon him to resign his position.](https://www.ocregister.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/OCR-L-BOSUPS-0828-05-MS.jpg?w=140)
Some supervisors call Andrew Do’s proximity to Viet America Society controversy a distraction
![The Board of Supervisors will vote next month whether to remove him from all board assignments. The Board of Supervisors will vote next month whether to remove him from all board assignments.](https://www.ocregister.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/OCR-L-VASUPDATE-0827-lede2.jpg?w=140)
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OC Board of Supervisor Andrew Do expected to miss meeting Aug. 27, could be taken off assignments
![Federal agents on Thursday raided properties linked to a county lawsuit alleging the misuse of public funds. Federal agents on Thursday raided properties linked to a county lawsuit alleging the misuse of public funds.](https://www.ocregister.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/OCR-L-VASRAID-0823-11mr-1.jpg?w=138)
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The misuse of COVID relief funds alleged in OC has been prosecuted across the nation
![Ciaran McEvoy, spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney's Office, confirmed search warrants were being executed Thursday morning. Ciaran McEvoy, spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney's Office, confirmed search warrants were being executed Thursday morning.](https://www.ocregister.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/OCR-L-VASRAID-0823-01mr.jpg?w=140)
Federal investigators raid homes of Supervisor Andrew Do, his daughter and Viet America Society president
![Supervisor Do's wife and Rhiannon Do's mother, Cheri Pham, is the assistant presiding judge of the Orange County bench. Supervisor Do's wife and Rhiannon Do's mother, Cheri Pham, is the assistant presiding judge of the Orange County bench.](https://www.ocregister.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/OCR-L-DISCRETIONARYDO-0215-11-1.jpg?w=118)
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OC lawsuits accusing Supervisor Do’s daughter and two charities of embezzlement moved to San Diego
![This is the second lawsuit filed by the county in a week against a nonprofit for alleged misuse of taxpayer dollars. This is the second lawsuit filed by the county in a week against a nonprofit for alleged misuse of taxpayer dollars.](https://www.ocregister.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/OCR-L-DOFLAGS-0603-1.jpg?w=140)
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Orange County sues nonprofit Hand to Hand Relief Organization for alleged misuse of public funds
![A Northridge couple was squeezed between contractors who walked off the job and a finance company that paid them anyway. Others are in similar dilemmas. A Northridge couple was squeezed between contractors who walked off the job and a finance company that paid them anyway. Others are in similar dilemmas.](https://www.ocregister.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/LDN-L-SOLAR-0807-002.jpg?w=140)
$80,000 bill for unfinished rooftop solar power system exposes pitfall for consumers
!["They threw anything they could into this, any rumors, any innuendos," says VAS attorney "They threw anything they could into this, any rumors, any innuendos," says VAS attorney](https://www.ocregister.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/OCR-L-VASREAX-0817-10.jpg?w=140)