Former Los Angeles fire chief Christine Crowley has lodged a claim against the city, stating that Mayor Karen Bass is conducting a “smear campaign” against her. Crowley is requesting that Bass halt this alleged campaign immediately, retract any false statements made about her, and issue an apology. She’s seeking over $25,000 in damages.
The document asserts that Crowley, who has spent 25 years with the Los Angeles Fire Department, believes Bass is coordinating a misinformation campaign to protect her political image. It states that the mayor is hiding how she undermines public safety.
In response, Mayor Bass’s attorney, David Michaelson, mentioned that they would refrain from commenting on ongoing personnel matters and added that the mayor is currently focused on preparing the city for expected high temperatures and fire hazards.
Earlier this year, following a significant fire, Bass announced the removal of Crowley from her position as fire chief. At a February press conference, the mayor claimed that Crowley had been instructed to conduct a post-fire action report but had refused to do so. Bass also noted that under Crowley’s watch, a fire had occurred involving 1,000 firefighters who were available to respond, which she cited as a reason for Crowley’s dismissal.
In contrast, Crowley has declared the claims against her to be false and is appealing to the city council to overturn the mayor’s decision to remove her. She mentioned that throughout her nearly three-year tenure as fire chief, she advocated for vital funding, staffing, and infrastructure improvements, emphasizing that her career was guided by integrity and service to others.
“Misinformation and misrepresentation must be counteracted with facts,” Crowley added, highlighting the readiness of firefighters to face challenges head-on.
