{"id":250819,"date":"2026-04-04T00:38:59","date_gmt":"2026-04-04T00:38:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/250819\/"},"modified":"2026-04-04T00:38:59","modified_gmt":"2026-04-04T00:38:59","slug":"ocs-biggest-headlines-as-district-attorney-becomes-countys-costliest-politician","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/250819\/","title":{"rendered":"OC\u2019s Biggest Headlines as District Attorney Becomes County\u2019s Costliest Politician"},"content":{"rendered":"

Since taking office in 2018, Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer and his top executives have faced a host of lawsuits \u2013 with allegations ranging from harassment to botched prosecutions \u2013 that have cost taxpayers nearly $18 million.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

Spitzer has pushed back on the cases by blaming county counsel or denying the allegations, noting that most of the cases were settled before any legal judgment was made.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Orange County Supervisors continue grappling with how to best use discretionary funds \u2013 money that can be spent with little oversight<\/a> \u2013 after their former colleague Andrew Do was sentenced to five years in prison for a bribery scheme that used such largely unchecked spending.\u00a0<\/p>\n

As cities throughout the county continue grappling with rocky budget projections, Santa Ana is considering asking its voters to extend a sales tax increase<\/a> while the neighboring City of Orange is looking at such a tax measure to bail out its bleak budget.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"Beachgoers at Mariposa Beach in San Clemente on April 24, 2025. Credit: EFREM PLAWNER, Voice of OC<\/p>\n

Residents in San Clemente have gathered enough signatures for a sales tax increase ballot measure, partially dedicated to help reverse sand loss and save the city\u2019s disappearing iconic coastline<\/a> as city and county officials grapple with sand replenishment.\u00a0<\/p>\n

San Clemente city officials are also looking to crack down on tee time scalping<\/a> after some residents say it\u2019s becoming increasingly difficult to book a time at the municipal golf course without having to go through a third party vendor.\u00a0<\/p>\n

A host of Orange County cities are far behind on the state-mandated housing goals<\/a>, which push municipalities to zone for a certain number of new homes \u2013 especially affordable housing \u2013 as Santa Ana\u2019s on track to hit its goals.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Fullerton residents are protesting a proposed 110,000-square foot warehouse<\/a> in the southeast part of town near the 91 and 57 freeways \u2013 with many locals raising concerns about traffic, pollution and the impact to the city\u2019s already beat up roads.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Spencer Custodio is the civic editor. You can reach him at scustodio@voiceofoc.org. Follow him on Twitter @SpencerCustodio<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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