Former Los Angeles Fire Chief Files Lawsuit Against City, Alleging Political Smear Campaign
The former fire chief of Los Angeles has initiated legal action against the city, asserting that her removal from office was part of a calculated effort to tarnish her reputation and decision-making. This move, according to the lawsuit, was designed to shield Mayor Karen Bass from accountability concerning the most destructive wildfire in Los Angeles history.
Details of the Dismissal and Subsequent Appeal
Mayor Bass terminated Kristin Crowley's position just one month after the catastrophic January 2025 Palisades Fire erupted. Following this dismissal, a contentious blame game ensued between the ex-chief and City Hall officials, focusing on the fire's extensive devastation and ongoing debates about fire department funding levels. In March of that same year, Crowley pursued an appeal to the City Council in an attempt to regain her former role, but this effort was unsuccessful.
The legal complaint, formally submitted last week, contends that Mayor Bass disseminated false information to safeguard her political standing in the aftermath of the fire. The mayor's office has firmly rejected these allegations, stating the lawsuit lacks merit.
Conflicting Narratives and Allegations
Yusef Robb, a senior adviser to Mayor Bass, issued a statement on Tuesday clarifying the administration's position. "There is nothing new here. Ms. Crowley was removed from her post for her failure to predeploy and her decision to send 1,000 firefighters home instead of keeping them on duty on the morning the fires broke out," Robb asserted. A request for comment was also directed to the Los Angeles City Attorney's office, but no response has been disclosed publicly at this time.
Crowley's lawsuit presents a starkly different account. It accuses the first-term Democratic mayor of attempting to divert attention from criticism she faced for being abroad in Africa as part of a presidential delegation when the blaze ignited. This occurred despite weather forecasts that had warned of perilous wildfire conditions in the days preceding her departure.
The legal filing alleges that Bass made specific statements to shift blame, "including falsely claiming that she was not aware of the nationally anticipated weather event, falsely claiming that the LAFD’s budget was not cut, and falsely claiming that LAFD’s resources would have supported an additional 1,000 firefighters to fight the blaze."
"These false statements were not mistakes but part of a deliberate strategy to divert scrutiny from Bass’ decisions and to avoid accountability," the lawsuit emphatically states. In her filing, the former chief is seeking unspecified economic and compensatory damages.
Timeline of Events and Broader Context
Mayor Bass officially fired Crowley on February 21, 2025, approximately six weeks after the Los Angeles fire commenced. Initially, Bass had praised Crowley's early firefighting efforts. However, she later stated that she discovered an additional 1,000 firefighters could have been deployed on the day the fire started. Additionally, Bass claimed that Crowley refused a request to prepare a critical report on the fires, which is a standard component of investigations into such incidents.
Crowley's legal filing directly disputes both of these claims, setting the stage for a contentious legal battle.
Impact of the Palisades Fire and Aftermath
The Palisades Fire began on January 7, 2025, fueled by powerful winds. It resulted in the destruction or damage of nearly 8,000 homes, businesses, and other structures. Tragically, it claimed the lives of at least 12 people in the affluent Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles. On the same day, another fire ignited in Altadena, a suburb east of Los Angeles, causing at least 17 fatalities and destroying or damaging more than 10,000 homes or other buildings.
Following her removal from the top position, Crowley was demoted by three ranks to assistant chief. She currently serves in a "special duty" role within the fire department's Risk, Health and Safety Division, as detailed in court documents.
