OC Rep. Steel Under Fire For COVID-19 Relief Spending: Report

According to an analysis by the LAist, current Steel awarded a $1.2 million contract for COVID-19 pandemic relief meals to the same business that she was using at the time for her congressional election campaign mailers.

The report alleges that, while other county supervisors used cities and reputable nonprofits to provide delivered meals to residents in need during the pandemic, Steel chose the printing company. In doing so, the constituents in Steel's district paid considerably more for the pandemic relief meals through the printing company. And unlike in neighboring districts, the meals weren't delivered to residents.

Steel is currently running for re-election in Congressional District 45 against attorney Derek Tran, a Democrat. The district includes the communities of Fountain Valley, Garden Grove, La Palma, Los Alamitos, Rossmoor, Artesia and more.

Steel did not respond to LAist's request for comment.