Union distrusts San Jose cop’s fundraising for fallen officer

Union representatives are calling out San Jose police Sgt. Tam Truong for running a fundraiser for the family of a fallen officer while being sued for alleged financial fraud. But family members don’t see a problem.

Truong set up a GoFundMe page for Community Service Officer Long Pham, who was struck and killed by an alleged drunk driver on Aug. 3 while directing traffic on Monterey Road. To date, the GoFundMe page has raised more than $23,000. But Municipal Employees’ Federation – AFSCME Local 101 officials said Truong shouldn’t be managing any of the funds given his alleged history.

“Sergeant Truong is currently facing criminal fraud allegations and is a defendant in a pending lawsuit. He has also faced wage theft claims related to a private security company he once managed,” Local 101 union representative John Tucker told San José Spotlight. “These unresolved legal matters cast doubt on his suitability to manage such a significant sum of money meant for the Pham family.”

The GoFundMe launched by Truong lists Son Pham as the beneficiary. According to GoFundMe policy, adding a beneficiary to the fundraising campaign ensures the funds will be received directly by the beneficiary’s bank account.

Truong did not reply to a request for comment.

Son Pham, who said he is the brother of Long Pham, described being deeply disappointed to see union officials demand the GoFundMe page meant to support his family be taken down. After Long Pham was killed there was an outpour of support from the law enforcement community toward the Pham family.

“All the funds raised in this account go to us and we are the only people with access to it,” Son Pham told San José Spotlight. “The contribution money our family has received has been from the GoFundMe that was created by Sgt. Tam Truong.”

He said the family has yet to receive any money from the San Jose Police Foundation fundraising campaigns.

A San Jose Police Foundation spokesperson said a check has been cut for the donations they raised on behalf of the family and they will receive the funds in the coming days. The foundation spokesperson said he was not comfortable disclosing the amount, because he does not want to bring unwanted attention to the family.

Truong is running for the San Jose City Council seat in District 8. He was recently placed on administrative leave from his position at the San Jose Police Department after he was sued last year for allegedly defrauding an Orange Coast Title Company escrow officer — allowing him to ditch his mortgage and collect nearly $540,000 from the home’s sale. Truong has since lost major endorsements over the alleged fraud controversy.

Local 101 officials have issued an open letter saying Truong is in no position to manage a fundraiser on behalf of the family of Long Pham.
Tucker is calling on Truong to take one of two actions — transfer all $23,000 to the Pham family immediately or hand over control to a mutual party like the San Jose Police Foundation. He said he hopes Truong complies without the threat of legal action.

“This step is crucial to ensure transparency and avoid any risk of mismanagement,” Tucker said.