The former Huntington Beach mayor and police chief are accused in a lawsuit of halting the Pacific Airshow during an oil spill because of their alleged personal animosity toward the operator.
The accusations in an updated complaint are the latest developments in an ongoing legal battle involving the air show. While the city has settled for nearly $5 million with the show’s operator, Pacific Airshow is still suing former Huntington Beach Mayor Kim Carr for her role in canceling the last day of the 2021 event.
The lawsuit alleges that during a meeting on Oct. 2, 2021, to discuss the show, former Huntington Beach Police Chief Julian Harvey and Carr “expressed their personal feelings of hatred” for Pacific Airshow.
Harvey suggested canceling the event to “screw” Pacific Airshow, and then Carr said she would do so, according to the lawsuit.
The lawsuit alleges that Harvey’s “personal animosity” for the air show stemmed from its attempt to book rapper Ludacris for its concert accompanying the show. Harvey, who is not named as a defendant in the lawsuit, declined to comment for this story.
The lawsuit also cites unnamed witnesses that accused Carr of being “giddy” at the prospect of using the oil spill to boost her political aspirations.
Carr said she was shocked by the allegations made by the air show, of which Kevin Elliott, the CEO of Code Four, an event management company, is president.
“The accusations by Kevin Elliott are completely false,” said Carr. “I find them outrageous … completely stunning.”
Pacific Airshow sued Huntington Beach and Carr in October for losses it incurred after the third and final day of the 2021 airshow was canceled. The city’s settlement didn’t include Carr.
Huntington Beach and Pacific Airshow agreed to a settlement that city leaders announced in May. The city agreed to pay the air show operator nearly $5 million, plus revoke some fees. Huntington Beach could pay $2 million more if the city…
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