Chad Williams, HB Scofflaw, Shielded by lawless MAGA Council.


Last week’s Huntington Beach City Council meeting was not ONLY political theater—it was a blatant suppression of the truth and a possible violation of state open meeting laws. What happened was not just disgraceful—it was unlawful.

During public comment, Ocean View School District Trustee Gina Clayton-Tarvin attempted to shed light on a clear violation of Huntington Beach Municipal Code §2.07.080: the prohibition on multiple campaign committees. Councilman Chad Williams, according to state records, currently controls two separate political committees:

  • Chad Williams for City Council 2024 (FPPC ID: 1462406)
  • Protect Our Children with Councilman Chad Williams, Vote No on A & B (FPPC ID: 1479896)

This is a direct and unambiguous violation of Huntington Beach’s own political campaign ordinance, which clearly limits City Council candidates and officers to one candidate-controlled committee per office. The law exists to prevent corruption, confusion, and manipulation of public trust. Yet here we are—witnessing it in plain sight.

But it gets worse. Trustee Clayton-Tarvin was cut off at 47 seconds into her public comment—well before the standard 60 seconds she was supposed to get—by Mayor Pat Burns, who chairs the meetings with a growing reputation for silencing political dissent. She was interrupted just as she began to cite the violation and demand action. If this isn’t a violation of the Brown Act, California’s open meetings law, it’s certainly an abuse of authority and a troubling sign of selective censorship.

The City’s own laws are being ignored by the very people elected to uphold them. Even more egregiously, Councilmember Williams has been linked to disturbing public signage outside schools—signs that are not only traumatizing to children but arguably violate Section 312(b) of the City Charter, which prohibits displays that are “extremely repugnant to accepted moral standards.” In many legal contexts, this could rise to a crime of moral turpitude.

So let’s get this straight:

  • Williams violates the campaign ordinance.
  • He violates the moral standards clause in our own Charter.
  • And his allies silence whistleblowers at public meetings.

Meanwhile, this same council wastes public resources pursuing Friends of the Library—a group of volunteers—while ignoring their own misconduct.

The hypocrisy is breathtaking.

This is not leadership. It’s lawlessness masquerading as moral authority. The people of Huntington Beach are exhausted. We’re tired of culture war distractions, religious dog whistles, and performative governance. We deserve better than political opportunists who weaponize children, faith, and fear for personal gain.

We are not a Christian nationalist city. We are a diverse, vibrant, beachside community. And we’re not going to sit silently while our City Council turns us into the next national scandal.

It’s time for real accountability.

It’s time to investigate Chad Williams.

And it’s time for voters to take their city back.

Signed,
Tory D. Johnson
Founder, Black Lives Matter Huntington Beach

About HB Tory

Tory D. Johnson is a longtime Huntington Beach resident, having called the city home since 2012. He is the founder and leader of Black Lives Matter Huntington Beach, where he advocates for justice, equity, and community accountability. Known for being both passionate and fair-minded, Tory built his life in Huntington Beach after arriving with just a backpack and a dream—drawn by what he calls his “happy place.” Since then, he has become a well-known voice in the community. Tory is currently pursuing a degree in Political Science at Orange Coast College, committed to deepening his impact through education and civic engagement.