The Tammy Kim Settlement and the Rest of the Story

Tammy Kim's Thanksgiving at her District 3 Home
Irvine’s Tammy Kim

Former Irvine Council Member Tammy Kim’s Facebook page now identifies her as “retired” after she settled a lawsuit filed by District 5 resident and former Republican Mayoral candidate Ron Scolesdang last Friday.  Kim released a confidential settlement memo prepared by Scoledang’s legal team which was full of overreach by Scoledang’s lawyers.

You can read that memo here. Tammy Kim-confidential settlement affidavit.

I’ve posted Kim’s statement and the DPOC’s announcement, but, to drop the other shoe, Kim left out what one source says on the record verified by multiple sources speaking on the condition of anonymity say Kim requested $10,000 to settle to drop her candidacy.  She dropped the request to $5,000.  That was denied, because if she lost, she would have been on the dock for $30,000 in legal fees.  We were also told about terms Kim demanded from LiveNation to move forward.

Kim released this statement last Friday night; I’ve bolded a few sentences for emphasis:

Statement From Tammy Kim Regarding Withdrawal From Irvine City Council Race

For Immediate Release

February 7, 2025

Effectively immediately, I have withdrawn from the special City Council election. My decision to withdraw was not due to the baseless legal challenge. I was fully eligible to run. Having moved to Woodbridge, I met the residency requirements for the seat.

My withdrawal stems from a deeper issue. I believe that candidates for local office—and their families—should not be subjected to harassment. It has come to light that this harassment and legal challenge were orchestrated and funded by corporate lobbyists from Live Nation. They are targeting me because I prioritized our community’s needs over their profit-driven agenda.  (editors note: former lobbyists for LiveNation; the deal in Irvine is done and abandoned, but there is no evidence the lawsuit was financed by those Kim said paid for it).

A week ago, I attempted to settle this matter to end the harassment and regain focus on my personal life. However, the conditions proposed by the plaintiff were entirely unacceptable and unrelated to my residency qualifications. They demanded I sign an affidavit with:

  • False statements about a 2023 City Council vote regarding Live Nation. They sought to wrongfully accuse Councilmember Treseder, a vocal critic of Live Nation and their lobbyists, of alleged Brown Act violations—claims that are baseless. More about this vote.
  • Attempts to discredit city staff in a blatant effort to pave the way for Live Nation’s reentry into Irvine under the new council.
  • My support for Anthony Kuo for Irvine City Council.
  • Non-disparagement clauses that would prevent me from criticizing Live Nation, Patrick Strader, Anthony Kuo, Ron Scolesdang, James Mai, and other figures linked to the Republican Party.

I refused to sign such a manipulative and dishonest affidavit. This ordeal has clearly demonstrated that their lawsuit was never about my residency—it was an attempt to buy influence and exert control over our city, driven by corruption and the interests of those they support, including Anthony Kuo. 

We are in an era where corporate interests, armed with deep pockets, seek to influence our elections through any means necessary. They have launched a misinformation campaign and have weaponized our justice system to target me and drain my financial resources. 

We filed an opposition to the petition and a motion to strike the petition under California’s anti-SLAPP law.  Our case was strong and the anti-SLAPP motion put the plaintiff in danger of having to pay me extensive attorneys’ fees.  They came back to me wanting to settle and dropped their outrageous demands. I believe that our strong response was a major factor that forced them to settle by allowing me to withdraw as I had sought to do a week earlier.

Although I am withdrawing from this election, I love Irvine. My commitment to serving our community remains steadfast. I will continue to work tirelessly to support and improve our community. 

The release of the memo generated significant interest on social media channels and prompted the Democratic Party of Orange County to issue a press release late Friday afternoon (the very worst time to issue a news release); here is DPOC press release:

New Details Reveal Legal Dirty Tricks in Irvine

Newly Obtained Documents Tie Politicized Lawsuit to Corporate Interests, Sacramento Republican Operatives Meddling in Irvine Politics

Irvine—In withdrawing from the race for the Irvine City Council, Tammy Kim revealed a major twist in the politicized lawsuit against her. New details make clear that the legal antics were driven by Sacramento Republican operatives working to boost big corporate players in a bid to supplant the will of Irvine voters.

“Shame on these monied interests for trying to meddle in Irvine city politics,” said Florice Hoffman, Chair of the Democratic Party of Orange County. “With democracy facing an existential threat at the national level, the last thing Irvine voters need is corporate players silencing them here at home.”

Irvine residents are gearing up to vote in a special election on April 15 to fill the fifth district seat on the city council. Tammy Kim will no longer be on the ballot, but voters should beware of Republican operatives doing the bidding of corporations, presumably to impose unpopular proposals through the city council. 

“Donald Trump might be handing the federal government over to the highest bidder, but that’s not what we do as Democrats.” Hoffman said.

The DPOC press release is well done, except for one thing.  Kim left some information out of her explaination for leaving.

Kim is getting a lot of love and sympathy on her social media feeds.  And while it makes you ponder why Scoledang’s legal would lump these figures in for NDAs, Kim’s notion it wasn’t about her address isn’t true.  She does not deny details of first first District 5 address, as if it did not happen. She’s omitted factual information to make sure she comes off as the victim here.

So when a party to a lawsuit releases a confidential settlement agreement (leaving out some details  to make a case of who the victim is, the other party of the lawsuit can also issue a statement.  Here’s what Ron Scolesdang issued:

Statement from Ron Scolesdang Regarding Tammy Kim’s Withdrawal from the Irvine City Council Race

Tammy Kim continues to mislead the public, just as she attempted to mislead the courts regarding her residency. The facts remain clear:

  • Tammy Kim did not voluntarily withdraw from the race. She signed a stipulation agreeing to be removed from the ballot rather than face the overwhelming evidence against her. Her claims of eligibility were weak at best, and had she testified further, she likely would have been guilty of perjury.
  • The civil case concluded with the appropriate legal outcome—her removal from the ballot. If the District Attorney launches a criminal investigation, which appears highly likely given the evidence that she used a false address to vote in November, we call on her to stop mischaracterizing the legal process as “harassment.” Investigating potential voter fraud is not harassment—it is upholding the law.
  • Tammy Kim attempts to distract the public with claims of exorbitant legal costs. The reality is that the case and investigation cost under $30,000, an amount that she would have likely been ordered to pay had she lost the case in court. (Editors note: there are no details on how the lawsuit against Kim was funded).
  • Notably absent from Kim’s statement is the fact that she attempted to settle the case by demanding a payment to herself. Last week, she offered to withdraw from the race for $10,000. After the court hearing yesterday (Friday February 7), she reduced her demand to $5,000. Ultimately, she settled for nothing—no payment was made to her. My legal team and I decided that simply having her removed from the ballot was victory enough and waived our right to pursue legal fees. Justice has no price.
  • Rather than taking responsibility, Kim continues to peddle conspiracy theories about corporate interests and partisan politics. I have never met or spoken to the individuals she falsely claims orchestrated this case. This was never about corporate influence—it was about the rule of law.
  • A true leader concedes when they lose. Instead, Kim blames everyone but herself.
  • The address Kim falsely claimed as her residence between May 2024 and January 9, 2025, allegedly belongs to a Board Member of her nonprofit, the Korean American Center. As someone who also operates a nonprofit, I find it appalling that an organization benefitting from U.S. tax exemptions would be used for personal gain in this manner.
  • Furthermore, the Korean American Center has reportedly received grants from the U.S. Department of Justice to teach Korean language and culture. No recipient of federal taxpayer funds should be allowed to knowingly violate election laws.

Tammy Kim lost this case because the facts were not on her side. Instead of misleading the public with false narratives, she should accept responsibility for her actions.

An Update:  I’ve received a copy of a text from Scolesdang’s law firm confirming that Kim reduced her settlement offer from $10K to $5K and the law firm told Kim that offer would be rejected; they sent to text to Scolesdang last Thursday after the court hearing.

****

Long-time readers know this blog has no love for Anthony Kuo or Patrick Strader.  But in reviewing the list people the law firm asked Kim not to disparage, none of those named were even aware of their names were offered for protection.   There are a number of names on the list provided by Scoledang’s lawyers who have no idea they were being offered up for a legal settlement.  And why the law firm added those names makes little sense, but it gave Kim kindlng to start a fire.

Scoledang’s lawyers declined to offer a statement to TheLiberalOC and would not explain their overreach on the list of people Kim couldn’t disparage.  But calls to most of the people on the list revealed they were completely unaware the law firm named them and could not explain why the law firm felt they needed a legal shield.

Council member James Mai (3rd District), offered this statement:  “I am writing to firmly deny any involvement in the matters referenced in the named affidavit. I was entirely unaware of being named in any document until someone brought it to my attention. I want to make it unequivocally clear that I have no dealings or connection to this matter. My primary focus has been on actively supporting and assisting the community and city, and I simply do not have the, desire, the time or capacity to be involved in anything related to this situation. I appreciate your understanding and trust that my lack of involvement will be recognized and respected.”

District 5 candidate and former Council member Anthony Kuo offered this statement:  “Although Tammy Kim has asked me for my support and endorsement in her previous campaigns, I have never asked for hers.  The Superior Court ordering her name be removed from the ballot does not change my honest efforts to campaign, share a hopeful vision for how City Hall can serve our community, and to ask my neighbors for their vote.  I’m absolutely committed to doing right by District 5, a place where I have lived for over 30 years.”

Pollster Adam Probolsky was unaware on reasons why he was added to the list and offered no further comment.  His brother, Brian, former CEO of OCPA, resigned from the organization some time ago and has a non-disparagement clause in place from OCPA that protects him from anything Kim might say.  If she did, Probolsky could sue OCPA.

Lobbyists Patrick Strader and Dave Ellis are listed as people Kim should not speak about, but neither were aware of the Scolesdang confidential settlement agreement as LiveNation’s attempt to build a venue in Irvine has been dead for 18 months.

Strader has issued the following statement:

“A great deal of credibility seems to be given to statements from someone who has yet to explain voting last November from an address where she never lived. The misdirection and misplaced blame reflect poorly on any party or candidate who erodes public trust.”

LiveNation is completely unaware of any activity by former lobbyists in Irvine and certainly aren’t going to pony up the unfounded amount of $200,000 to pay for the lawsuit.  Kim was looking at a possible $30,000 in legal fees had the Scholedang anticipated a successful outcome.  Another question should be who paid for Kim’s defense?  How much did that cost?

Sources, speaking under condition of anonymity, have told the Liberal OC that, as a city council member, Kim sought political contributions from Live Nation to be directed to a Korean-American PAC that was supporting Kim for mayor.  The amount was alledgedly $5,000 and was rejected.  Candidates and PACs are not allowed to coordinate political activity.  She also sought benefits for council member for a LiveNation venue (a premium suite, free tickets and parking for each concert, and wanted LiveNation to offer multiple shows feature K-pop music).  Those requests disappeared when the deal died 18 months ago.

There is no plan to bring LiveNation into the Great Park or Irvine at this time.  Strader was a LiveNation consultant.  He no longer represents them.  Ellis represents the company in other parts of Southern California and not in Orange County.  He declined comment.

When Kim says this lawsuit was never about her address, it certainly was.

She still will not address her initial District 5 address at the home of non-profit board member, which is where she voted from in 2024.  Wishing it would go away won’t make this go away.  If Kim’s non-profit board member allowed her to use his address to cast a ballot in November when she did not live there, then he may have opened himself to being an accessory to criminal voter fraud or a conspiracy to commit voter fraud.  The non-profit gets federal funding for the work they do; should Kim be charged by the OCDA, what happens to that revenue stream?

In researching this piece, a number of sources cited Kim’s political ambitions.  Irvine City Council to Mayor, then on to replace Don Wagner on the County Supervisor’s seat.  Then, she would move on to state assembly or the state senate and — eventually — a run for Congress.  But along the way, Kim lost support of friends who elped her win her first election to the council.  While Kim’s action of releasing the confidential settlement agreement rewards her supporters, the omission of details of Kim seeking payment and the strong potential of legal action by the OCDA’s office should give them pause.

While in office, Kim was an effective voice for the Korean-American community.  She can still be that if she choses to do so, but the bloom is now off the rose.

Isn’t it?

36 Comments

  1. I wouldn’t say she was a strong voice for Korean American community ever. Tammy Kim used Korean Americans to parade them for identity politics, without ever representing them. Her ever focused self interest never served any Irvine residents, it was bad for all residents and bad for Korean Americans. She shape shifted to whatever position deemed favorable for her personal gain and flip flopped constantly. She even attacked any and all constituents and colleagues, including constituents of Korean heritage.

  2. She hustled and tried to get payment to settle and got rejected twice. She has no integrity, she then repackages her own failed extortion attempt to gaslight the justice system that rightfully got her off the ballot.

  3. Again, I love to see OC Dems so focused on an inconsequential nothing burger race, while the entire ideology of their party is being dismantled , put in 3 mil garbage bags where it belongs and thrown on the dumpster of history. You are like an impotent man struggling to get it up while his wife laughs and turns over and goes to sleep.

    Dems will always huddle their bubble and act like nothing is happening , while the independents look on at the conservative juggernaut and realize that they agree with the current initiatives of the Trump admin on Border security, ending govt waste and abuse and focusing on our own country, instead of LGBTQ drag story time in Bolivia and DEI initives in Serbia. It’s just a matter of time before Trump closes the door and asks Zelenskyy for the truth about Hunter and the big guy and the billions in disappearing money funneled into the black hole of corruption that is Ukraine.

    Party’s over. Dems. Not only is the spigot shut off, the supply line has been cut with a sawzall and the pipe is now soldered closed. No more funding for your insane initiatives while people in North Carolina wallow in misery after being ignored by a limp dick President that drooled on his bib.

    • Please don’t attach yourself to the Republican Party because I find your comments offensive! This is not a political issue as much as you want to make it one. Corruption has no party affiliation, and everyone should want to see people called out and held accountable. The Liberal OC has always done excellent reporting, and I say this as a conservative. I am not even sure what your issue is here because President Trump is weeding out corruption, and that is what this article is all about. So your “nothing burger” makes absolutely no sense as you go off on your own little tirade.

      • I don’t attach myself the the Republican party. The Orange County GOP was until recently the most pathetic example of good old boys networking, unconcerned as they watched the Party slowly crash and burn due to lack of outreach beginning under Scott Baugh (who is about as appealing a candidate) as John Briscoe or Tony Strickland in the upcoming Senate race.. one that is reminiscent of the SouthPark episode where the race is between a Giant Douche and a Turd Sandwich. I am equal opportunity hater. I hate Corrupt Establishment Republicans that were happy to let the status quo exist and did nothing to change the system just as much as I despise corrupt cultural Marxists on the left that suck billions out of our country to fund DEI, LGBTQ, Climate Justice etc. initiatives. One mans Tirade is another mans Gettysburg address. I do not care about how you perceive my comments. As I have stated multiple times to the respected editor of this fine digital fish wrapper, I think Trump is an arrogant buffoon.. a narcissistic philanderer that respects no one. That being said, I absolutely love his policies, his energy, his focus and the fact that he doesn’t give two fvcks about what people and organizations on the left think and is making the first real progress towards undoing decades of leftist shenanigans and keepingf his campaign promises.

        The truth is, this entire affair with Tammy Kim is common and predictable. She wont be the last corrupt local pol to be dragged out into the light. I simply love the fact that local Dems are consumed by minutiae while their entire ideology and raison d’ etre is being bulldozed into history and they want to resurrect it in the future, it will have to be done under the full scrutiny of the American Public.

        • Well, BOB, that’s about 20 seconds that I’ll never get back! What is your point…never mind, don’t answer that! And Jeremy F. Is the only one that uses the word “turd”, or is it Jason…I get them confused.

  4. Time for a new party Chair. For Florice to write that statement about a felon (alleged for a few more weeks) shows a remarkable lack of judgment.

  5. Extortion and using a false address by Kim? I thought she was an angel. But Anthony Kuo running again? No thanks, the last time he was in office he received hundreds of thousands of dollars for his campaign from Newport Beach. But what I find hard to believe is Kim demanding $10,000, then $5,000, for what? This needs to be investigated by the DA for possible criminal activity, let alone using a false address in an election as well.

    • I think you will find that any affiliation Anthony Kuo may have had to FivePoint, is no longer an issue. Anthony is committed to the residents in District 5…he has lived here for over 30 years. Not to mention the fact that Woodbridge is built out. He wants to work on our traffic situation, and continue in the build out of the Great Park. He has a lot of great idea’s and is fully engaged in the communities, especially in those he will represent. I too wasn’t a huge supporter of Anthony Kuo, but in my recent talks with him, he has had a chance to reflect on the past, and is ready to take on the challenges ahead. I believe he is worth the second chance.

  6. Tammy Kim has been an abuser of our tax dollars as she sat on the Irvine Council these last four years! She gave tax dollars to overseas Korean businesses that supported her campaigns. Then she used the Orange County Power Authority to further abuse ratepayer funds. Her and her side-kick, KATHLEEN TRESEDER, used this agency as their own personal slush fund, along with OCPA’s board member and Fullerton City Council member, FRED JUNG. And nobody is better than placing blame on others for THEIR OWN CORRUPTION than TAMMY KIM, and KATHLEEN TRESEDER. I 100% agree with JJ. Part One of this sad saga is over. District 5 residents got what they wanted, to remove Kim from the ballot. And while she can bring out all the backroom negotiations that didn’t amount to anything, she still removed herself from the ballot…an innocent person wouldn’t do that. Part Two is coming up as she faces charges for her FIRST address change, where the tenants said she never lived, and where she filed papers to run for Mayor, and voted in the last election using that erroneous address. Breaking the law has consequences, and a perjury charge is a felony. OCDA, Todd Spitzer doesn’t take people that abuse our election laws lightly, just lookup his history here in Orange County. And even with her lies and the people she used to help in her schemes, not to mention what it has done to her family, I still don’t want to see her go to jail. My hope is that TAMMY KIM will never be allowed to run for public office again.

  7. Since when did Vern and Greg become so involved in Irvine politics?

    I am given to understand (Greg’s words) that Tammy at some point was able to help Vern and Donna out financially, which explains a lot.

    Speaking of Vern, I am told Carlos Leon of Anaheim is the latest to express his distain for the Nelsons.

    • I’m told Vern posted a comment that I was four days late to the story; truth is, I was reporting and it took some time and convincing to get people to talk to me. I honestly don’t what they have to say about me. Greg still thinks Melahat is playing a role in Irvine politics which just isn’t true.

  8. Dan, serious question here. Since you are trying to sift through information to get all the facts, would you mind sifting through this? The filing in December 2024 for the committee named California Leadership Today Supporting Anthony Kuo for City Council 2025 is managed by the same law firm representing Ron Scolesdag. Look at the email for the committee, its fppc@bmhlaw.com. That is the email for Bell, McAndrews & Hiltachk. Then look at the donor to this committee and see Friends of the Great Park, donation made Jan. 15, 2025. I assume you will remember who is involved and has donated to that committee – Patrick Strader via Starpointe Ventures. Is this just a coincidence? Or is it possible Anthony Kuo and Patrick Strader have been looking for ways to get Larry Agran elected and Tammy Kim out for quite some time? Could this have been a long term plan of the Republican Party to get a majority back on city council?

    • Mr. Strader and I have had our clashes over the years including his threat to sue me. His firm donates to candidates of both parties mostly via PACs. I’m not a Kuo fan either. Tammy Kim lost because she engaged in an ageism campaign as bad as any anti-Asian hate campaign that’s out there. She raised questions about Agran that longtime residents of this city —like me — already knew the answer about.

    • I haven’t looked at the candidate’s financial reports yet, so thanks for the tip. I find great humor in the fact Tammy’s fans won’t admit she voted from a District 5 address she did not reside at and use a “break in” at her condo’s garage to feign fear for her safety in one of America’s safest cities. Scoledang’s law firm overreached with the confidential affidavit. If Spitzer criminally charges her with voter fraud, let me know how a PAC contribution to Kuo last month has anything to do with Tammy.

  9. Thanks to Mr. Scolesdang! The entire focus of the Dist. 5 election has shifted from “No Tammy Kim”, to “Who will keep the five-story Stack N Pack zoning overlay out of Westpark One (Culverdale) and Woodbridge”?

    • Dems love stack and pack.. because , you know, there is a “housing shortage that is the root cause of homelessness “ per our illustrious State Dem Govt. ( we all know that the real root cause is lack of mental health services that were paid for by Rob Reiners surtax on Millions Dollar plus incomes – 30 billion collected so far.. where did it go? And substance abuse issues..)
      Get ready for ultra high density units in sacred Irvine. Thank your elected Dem representatives and the lies they support.

  10. Where are a the Billions… from Reiners tax the rich scheme?
    Over 30 billion collected.. you see any change? Only negative results. The Dems just put it in the general fund like they always do and flipped the bird to the residents of California. Nothing ever changes.. but there is a REALLY good chance that people will figure out that the DEMS are destroying the state and the vote will shift to the right. Day after day .. drip drip drip of all the insane and corrupt things the Dems have been doing under the radar.. all coming out into the light of day. Theee will be a paradigm shift. It’s already underway.

  11. Theee is still time, while you are alive Dan, to sit down on quiet Sunday afternoon with no distractions and ask yourself honestly, why do I embrace this stuff? Why do I share a political ideology with Vern Nelson, Gina Clayton Tarvin and Victor Valladares? Why can’t I see the facts clearly? They attribute it to Churchill but I’m not sure that’s the case.. “ If You Are Not a Liberal When You Are Young, You Have No Heart, and If You Are Not a Conservative When Old, You Have No Brain’

    Critical thinking without the blur of emotional constraints.

    Perhaps you are stuck in extended adolescence and you are clinging to an ideology that you have been unable to fully rationalize.

    I’ll pray for you.

  12. On second thought many Dems are atheists or agnostics because.. you know, they can’t be bothered by all that religious mumbo jumbo .. follow the science! So, it may not do you any good.. but the offer still stands. I prayed for your speedy recovery from your respitory issues.. look what happened?

  13. Bob your insane rants are the best thing this website has going lately. You alone have me stopping by more frequently for a good laugh. Big Dan is surely grateful that you are bringing in compelling content, I know I am.

  14. And yeah.. I know you have a real job, unlike Vern, so I apologize for the implied slight to your honor regarding your earning ability. Please forgive me.

    And stop moderating my speech.. this isn’t Europe.

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