Defamation Lawsuit Filed by Former LAFD Chief Against Mayor Bass
Mayor Karen Bass is facing a defamation lawsuit from former Los Angeles Fire Chief Christine Crowley, who alleges that Bass prioritized her re-election over the truth about the events leading up to the devastating Palisades fire. The lawsuit claims that Bass made unsubstantiated criticisms of Crowley’s credibility and actions during this critical time.
Crowley, who served as fire chief from March 2022 until February 2025, repeatedly alerted both the Bath City Council and the larger Los Angeles City Council about significant understaffing and insufficient resources within the fire department. These warnings were accompanied by detailed reports and budget requests, as noted in court documents.
When the Palisades fire erupted, Bass is accused of failing to inform key officials, including Crowley, about the situation. Following the fire, which resulted in massive damages worth billions and claimed 12 lives, the lawsuit asserts that Bass attempted to shift blame onto others.
The suit claims, “She tried to evade responsibility by misleading the public and making false assertions,” such as claiming ignorance of a major weather event and stating that the fire department’s budget had not been cut. These statements supposedly contradict existing public records and Bass’s previous comments.
Even after declaring her intention to run for re-election, Bass allegedly continued to make misleading statements, which the lawsuit argues were calculated strategies aimed at diverting criticism and securing her electoral success.
The lawsuit goes on to highlight the contentious budget negotiations between Bass and Crowley, which resulted in a $17.6 million reduction in the fire department’s operating budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year and the elimination of 61 positions.
Furthermore, it’s asserted that Crowley met with Bass in August 2024 to address ongoing concerns about LAFD’s emergency response capabilities. The complaint notes that Bass was aware of the dangerous wind conditions in Los Angeles at the time she chose to travel to Ghana, yet did not inform Crowley of her plans.
“Ms. Bass opted to keep her departure from Crowley and others, even though she knew a dangerous weather event was about to strike the city,” the complaint states.
The newspaper has reached out to Bass’s office for comment.
