Bob Mackin
One of the targets of Ken Sim’s defamation lawsuit accuses the Mayor of Vancouver of showing up drunk at several political and government events.
In his May 23-filed, B.C. Supreme Court lawsuit, Sim said former chief of staff Kareem Allam and real estate developer Alex G. Tsakumis intended to damage his reputation by falsely accusing him of drinking and driving.
Tsakumis responded June 30 with a defence statement that includes a list of incidents involving Sim as far back as 1989, when he pleaded guilty to failing to stop under the Motor Vehicle Act after being charged with dangerous driving.
Alex G. Tsakumis
Tsakumis’s filing said Allam told him on or about Feb. 2, 2023 that Sim “had been stopped by police who suspected the plaintiff of driving while under the influence.” Allam, who managed Sim’s victorious 2022 campaign, was fired four days later.
“[Sim’s] true reputation is as a politician and businessman who occasionally consumes alcohol to excess, including at events attended in his capacity as a candidate for election or as elected municipal official,” said the Tsakumis response, filed by lawyer Scott Dawson.
The alleged incidents of concern include being drunk while attending an NPA nomination meeting in June 2018 at the Hellenic Community Centre in Vancouver, during the February 2023 funeral of beloved ex-Vancouver Canuck Gino Odjick, at a hotel in Toronto for the Federation of Canadian Municipalities May 2023 conference and ceremonies during the Greek Day and Khatsahlano street festivals in his first summer as mayor.
“On at least two occasions during the plaintiff’s first six months as the mayor of Vancouver, a special advisor to the mayor’s office and a senior party executive sought advice from this defendant, including advice related to the plaintiff’s alcohol consumption,” said the Tsakumis defence statement.
Sim’s lawsuit pointed to a post by Tsakumis on X, formerly Twitter, in November 2023 that alleged police pulled Sim over on 4th Avenue close to his Point Grey home, but did not book him. “Why? How? If true, he should resign. Immediately.”
None of the allegations has been tested in court. June 30 was also the deadline for Allam to file his statement of defence.
In February, the Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner (OPCC) cleared Sim of the drunk driving allegations, but refused to release its report. OPCC said Sim was not the target of its investigation. Instead, it focused on the conduct of Vancouver Police officers.
Sim has said he is seeking re-election in 2026. Allam might run against him.
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