John Duong Press Release About Racist Krom Mailer

For Immediate Release

November 4, 2006

John Duong for Mayor Campaign
Contact: Charlene Hatakeyama
949-861-8643 or 714-337-9338, or
John Duong - 714-654-6980

Dirty Tricks Cross the Line, Prompting Legal Action

Irvine, Calif. – Beth Krom, Irvine Mayoral candidate, and her political allies have mailed a defamatory “hit piece” that libels opponent John Duong.

The unprecedented personal attack may prompt multiple legal actions against Krom and her supporters, including the publishers of the “Common Sense Voting Guide.” It was printed and mailed by an Irvine business with ties to Krom and Irvine Councilman Larry Agran. “Unfortunately, I must explore a lawsuit since my character has been deliberately and falsely attacked,” said John Duong, candidate for Irvine Mayor.

The flyer purposefully tries to deceive Irvine voters about the occupation of Mr. Duong. The flyer also falsely accuses him of mismanaging business properties in Westminster. In fact, Mr. Duong’s consultation role with his company does not involve any property management. The mailer goes on to accuse Mr. Duong’s company of incurring health and building code violations, which are also not part of Mr. Duong’s oversight. It also impugns the reputation of several small businesses in Westminster. Many of these businesses are family owned and operated. It characterizes these small business owners as “frequent violators of health, safety and building codes.”

Westminster Councilman Kermit Marsh said, “I am offended by this inappropriate attack upon my constituents. One would have thought the Irvine political establishment would have learned its lesson after insulting the Taiwanese American community. Apparently, they consider all Asian Americans to be fair game. We do not tolerate this kind of racism in Westminster, and I am disappointed to learn that it is condoned by the Irvine political establishment.”

Councilman Andy Quach of Westminster said, “This is dirty politics that hits below the belt. John Duong is one of our most trusted and honest business leaders in the City. This brochure shows a complete disregard for ethics, which is consistent with the present Irvine City Council majority. They must be afraid of losing something very dear to their livelihood.”

Assemblyman Van Tran said, “I am disappointed in this tactic by Beth Krom and her political friends. John Duong is a respected businessman whose work in Westminster has helped to make the city a better place.” Assemblyman Tran’s district includes the cities of Westminster and Fountain Valley.

“The Krom/Agran machine will do anything to win,” said Duong. “Krom and her political friends are avoiding the important issues facing voters, like traffic and overdevelopment. Instead, they are engaging in false personal smears.”

John Duong was selected by the President of the United States to be the Executive Director of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Duong, a Vietnamese immigrant who embodies the American Dream, also worked on the staff of former Governor Pete Wilson. For accurate information on Mr. Duong, voters should visit his campaign web site: John Duong For Mayor

I'm guessing we won't be seeing state DOJ agents charging into Beth Krom's campaign office anytime soon over this mailer. Maybe Bruce McPherson can summon the courage to send out a letter from his office like he did in the Tan Nguyen case and warn Irvine voters that laws may have broken by team crony. Who am I kidding. He's only worried about the mythical "hispanic vote", so he won't do anything.