Vietnamese Group’s Factions Agree to Hold New Elections

Two sides in a contested election for leadership of a prominent Vietnamese American community organization reached a legal settlement Friday, agreeing to hold new elections by July.

Political feuding has plagued the nonprofit Vietnamese Community of Southern California since its regionwide elections in January 1998.

At the time, two groups claimed victory in a hotly contested race. The rift threatened to divide a group that once sought to represent the 300,000-strong immigrant community in Southern California.

The group, which provides some social services, is most widely known for the strongly anti-Communist stance of its former leader, Ban Binh Bui.

The faction headed by Duc Trong Do sued the slate favored by outgoing leader Bui.

The lawsuit is now expected to be withdrawn.

“The settlement is truly in the best interests of the community as it avoids a lengthy and contentious trial,” said attorney Edward Susolik, who represented the group headed by Duc Trong Do.

“The time is right to hold new elections and demonstrate to both the Vietnamese community as well as the community at large that the democratic process works.”