Affidavitgate: Irvine Election Drama Unleashed
Tammy Kim was sent an affidavit to sign in order to stop a pending lawsuit alleging she falsified her address to run for District 5 City Council. Instead of signing, Kim has published the affidavit and related email correspondence for all to see. Photo credit Trac Vu
The race for an Irvine City Council seat has taken a dramatic turn with allegations of backroom dealings, coercion, and violations of California’s Brown Act. At the center of the controversy is former Councilwoman Tammy Kim, a candidate for District 5 City Council. Kim published documents on her website that she says she was asked to sign by parties bringing a law suit against her. An affidavit sent to her by Brian T. Hildreth of Sacramento-based law firm Bell, McAndrews & Hiltachk contains what Kim calls “false allegations and a rewriting of history” regarding negotiations over a permanent amphitheater at the Great Park.
Hildreth did not return a request for comment.
According to Kim’s screenshots of alleged emails with Hildreth, a settlement agreement was proposed that required Kim to sign a sworn statement detailing alleged misconduct by city officials. The city officials named were City Manager Oliver Chi and then Councilmember (and current Mayor) Larry Agran as well as Citycouncilmember Kathleen Treseder. The alleged affidavit accuses Chi of improperly involving other council members in negotiations meant to be handled by a two-person subcommittee, potentially violating the Brown Act’s ban on “serial meetings.” It also alleges that city staff worked to sabotage the city’s deal with Live Nation in favor of a city-run venue.
Kim posted on social media that she refused to sign the document, calling the affidavit a coercive attempt to rewrite events for political gain.
“We are in an era where corporate interests, armed with deep pockets, seek to influence our elections through any means necessary,” Kim wrote in a letter that accompanied the documents she published. “They have launched a misinformation campaign and have weaponized our justice system to target me and drain my financial resources.”
The controversy now threatens to upend the April special election, leaving voters of District 5 with one fewer option for their representative to City Council.
“Although I am withdrawing from this election, I love Irvine,” said Kim in her letter. “My commitment to serving our community remains steadfast. I will continue to work tirelessly to support and improve our community.”