A Journalist’s Quest for the Truth: The Nick Gerda Story
A Year of Bombshells
I greeted Nick Gerda last week the same way I’ve greeted him over the past year: a handshake, a hug, and a “Great job, man.” Since last November, the LAist reporter has dropped bombshell after bombshell about Andrew Do, a longtime politician who most recently served as an Orange County supervisor.
The Scandal Unfolds
I say “most recently” because Do resigned after federal prosecutors announced he would plead guilty to accepting over half a million dollars in bribes to direct more than $10 million in COVID-19 relief funds to a nonprofit headed by his college-age daughter, Rhiannon.
A Journalist’s Dedication
E. Martin Estrada, the U.S. Attorney, credited the media for breaking the story – which really meant Gerda, who used to affix mics to my shirt when he was an intern at Orange County’s PBS channel about 15 years ago.
A Career Dedicated to Local Journalism
Gerda’s career is an exemplar of what happens when news organizations invest in local journalism, let reporters dig instead of writing clickbait, and stand by them in the face of critics real and imagined. For over a decade with LAist and his previous employer, Voice of OC, Gerda reported on Do the way a sculptor works a slab of marble. His torrents of public records requests led the supervisor to derisively refer to “the Noise of OC.”
The Impact of Gerda’s Reporting
Last year, Do demanded that LAist fire Gerda for allegedly using falsified tax returns in his reporting, a tantrum that went nowhere because it wasn’t true. Days before FBI and IRS agents raided the homes of Do and his daughter, the politician appeared on a Little Saigon radio station to accuse Gerda and other opponents of “slander.” On the one hand, I feel vindicated. On the other hand, this is the worst concern I had looking into this: what happened with this money.
Uniting the Community
Do’s misdeeds were so egregious that Gerda did the impossible in Orange County: unite Democrats and Republicans. I asked Gerda why he thought the Do matter bridged O.C.’s partisan divide. People perceive that as an abuse of power, and that really connects with people, makes them concerned.
A Career of Dedication
Local journalism was in the stars for Gerda long before he pursued it. He accompanied his mother to Santa Ana City Council and school board meetings as a teenager, when I was starting out as a reporter and found her generous with quotes, insights, and tips. My parents showed me how journalists have a really important role in society to seek the truth, Gerda said. Speak truth to power when there’s abuses going on.
The Future of Journalism
Gerda returned home and enrolled in journalism classes at Orange Coast College, where I teach. After a few internships, he found a job at Voice of OC, where he immediately caught the attention of publisher Norberto Santana Jr. The nonprofit news agency’s founder said he drilled into Gerda to treat local reporting “like electrical work, like plumbing — a methodical approach. Follow the money. And he was just solid from the start.”
Conclusion
Gerda’s reporting has shown that even in a county with a lack of a vibrant press, a dedicated journalist can still uncover the truth and bring about real change. His work is a testament to the importance of local journalism and its ability to bridge even the widest of political divides.
FAQs
Q: What was the scandal that led to Andrew Do’s resignation?
A: Do pleaded guilty to accepting over half a million dollars in bribes to direct more than $10 million in COVID-19 relief funds to a nonprofit headed by his college-age daughter, Rhiannon.
Q: Who is Nick Gerda?
A: Nick Gerda is a reporter for LAist who has been covering local politics in Orange County for over a decade.
Q: What is the impact of Gerda’s reporting?
A: Gerda’s reporting has led to the resignation of Andrew Do, the exposure of corruption, and the passage of legislation to ban elected officials from approving contracts for organizations headed by their children.
Q: What is Gerda’s next step?
A: Gerda will continue to pursue the truth, investigating other funding streams and questions about taxpayer money meant to serve vulnerable people.
