Officer, Little Saigon businessman plead not guilty to loan-sharking
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A Westminster police officer and a Little Saigon businessman accused in a loan-sharking case have pleaded not guilty.
Officer Anthony Duong Donner, 28, and Kevin Khanh Tuan Do, 38, made their pleas Monday and were ordered to return to court in November. Donner remains on leave from the Westminster police force.
FBI agents arrested both men in August, accusing Do of masterminding a loan-sharking operation and using the officer living in his home as his “enforcer.”
Do allegedly lent $170,000 to a woman who wanted to open a Garden Grove coffee shop and a lounge in neighboring Westminster, charging her 5% interest a month, along with an annual interest rate of 60%, according to a 39-page FBI affidavit.
Do allegedly directed Donner to collect payments from the woman and told her that if she didn’t pay, the police would “interfere with her business” and cite her for driving under the influence, even if she wasn’t drinking, FBI Special Agent Joseph Paul Nieblas said.
After Donner’s arrest at police headquarters last month, Westminster Police Chief Kevin Baker said he would mount an outreach campaign to reassure immigrant residents and businesses in the city that law enforcement officials are trustworthy and continue to work “to earn everyone’s trust.”
Donner and Do are expected be back in court Nov. 12.
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Twitter: @newsterrier
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