Matt Reeves: “Address the Allegations Directly”… Michelle Kang: “My Credit Score is 840”

Reeves: “ Kang has unpaid taxes and unresolved debt from before her name change”
Kang: “Blatant lies… Reeves supports wealthy white gun owners”

Republican candidate Matt Reeves and Democratic challenger Michelle Kang are in a heated battle for Georgia House District 99, which covers the Korean American community in Gwinnett County. The two candidates are exchanging fierce accusations as election day approaches.

Reeves recently claimed that Kang had unpaid taxes and unresolved debts totaling $90,000 under her previous name, Kum Hee Kang, and through her company, Kum Corporation, which operated Kabuki, a Japanese restaurant. He questioned, “How can someone who hasn’t paid their taxes represent Gwinnett residents?” and revealed court documents as evidence.

In response, Kang took to social media, calling Reeves’ claims “blatant lies” and accusing him of targeting her as a woman of color and an immigrant. “Reeves is resorting to smear tactics because his campaign is in trouble,” she wrote. Kang further criticized Reeves for being a supporter of “wealthy white gun owners” and extremist MAGA views.

In an interview with The Korea Times Atlanta, Kang defended her financial record, stating, “My credit score is a perfect 840, and in my 32 years in the U.S., I have never missed a tax or debt payment.” She dismissed Reeves’ accusations as baseless.

However, Reeves doubled down, presenting additional evidence and dismissing Kang’s focus on her credit score. “This isn’t about her credit score,” he said. “She needs to address the official court rulings. Before her name change, Michelle Kang was Kum Hee Kang, and she ran a company that failed to pay taxes and settle debts. She even admitted in her campaign that she had experience running a restaurant.”

Reeves also pointed out that Kang moved from Fulton County to Gwinnett in September 2023 and immediately ran for a state House seat. “I’ve lived in Gwinnett for 36 years, working for the benefit of the entire community, not just for the wealthy. Thanks to my efforts, many Korean Americans have benefited from property tax reductions,” he said. Reeves warned that if Kang continues to avoid addressing the allegations, he will release more information, including ties to Wells Fargo.

As the accusations fly, some in the Korean community express disappointment. A former supporter of Kang said, “Matt Reeves has been an advocate for the Korean American community long before Sam Park, the first Korean state representative, was elected. I wish Michelle Kang had chosen to run in a different district.”

by Paul S. Lee