An investigation by LAist has found that while a county supervisor in Orange County, Rep Michelle Steel (R-Garden Grove) directed a $1.2 million contract to a printing company to distribute free pandemic meals.

Steel is in a tough battle to win reelection in District 45 against Democrat Derek Tran. It’s one of the races identified as key to determine which party has control of the House the next two years.

The LAist reported the company that received the contract is the same one Steel hires to print most of her campaign mailers. The company had no prior experience with meal programs.

Most of the restaurants the company contracted with for the meals had previously contracted with them to print various materials.

Each meal distributed costs $24 per meal while other contractors selected by others did it for $7.50 to 11.00 per meal.

Steel declined to comment on LAist’s findings, but a representative said via email that “We also wanted the gourmet experience and share with those in need quality over quantity. Each [meal] portion would consist of protein, carbs, and vegetables, along with a dessert, yogurt, and/or a coconut water.”

Serena Nguyen also stated that Steel believes in ” transparency and proper use of any taxpayer dollars.”

Her opponent in the race, Tran, seized on the opportunity. In an emailed statement to AsAmNews he said “Public service means only one thing to Michelle Steel; an opportunity to line her pockets. There is no reason to hand out a $1.2 million contract to a political print shop for a nutrition program unless you’re getting something out of it. Her corruption and self-dealing know no bounds, but the walls are closing in on her and the criminal network she has fostered. The people of CA-45 deserve honest representation that puts them, not one’s own financial interests, first.”

Tran has tried to tie Steel to Andrew Do, who recently resigned from the Orange County Board of Supervisors after prosecutors says he admitted to receiving $550,000 in bribes connected to a meals program.

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