HB Airshow Saga: City Must Release Details Of $7 Million Deal

Topline:

An Orange County Superior Court judge has ordered Huntington Beach officials to release a controversial settlement agreement between the city and the operator of the annual airshow that attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.

The background: The settlement came after Huntington Beach canceled the second day of the airshow in 2021 following a major oil spill off the coast. The airshow operator sued, and the city agreed to pay up to $7 million for breach of contract. But the full settlement details have so far remained off-limits to taxpayers. Read the judge's order here .

The lawsuit: Local school board member Gina Clayton-Tarvin sued the city under California public records law to get the full airshow settlement released. Clayton-Tarvin has been a vocal critic of the settlement and of the current city council majority, which approved the settlement.

The city’s response: After the judge’s ruling, Huntington Beach City Attorney Michael Gates told LAist he intends to release the settlement unless directed otherwise by the city council. Just a few days ago, Gates filed a legal complaint against the state’s top watchdog over a planned audit of the settlement .

Why it matters: Critics of the airshow settlement have speculated that it might contain lucrative perks for the airshow operator, Code Four, which haven't been publicly released. These critics are dubious of the city's decision to settle with Code Four — a political ally of the city council majority — over a decision made in the midst of a public health emergency .

Go deeper: How A Fight Over An Airshow In Huntington Beach Became A Political Litmus Test