Christine Crowley, the former director of the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD), has initiated a lawsuit against the City of Los Angeles, alleging violations of labor laws after her dismissal by Mayor Karen Bass.
Crowley was dismissed just weeks following the tragic Palisades fire. She contends that her termination infringed upon protections outlined in state labor law and the California Constitution.
Initially, the mayor praised the department’s response to the incident. However, amid public criticism regarding delays and budget cuts to the fire department, Crowley suggests that Bass shifted blame and sought alternative leadership. In recently filed court documentation, Crowley argues that the mayor misrepresented several facts, including her awareness of an anticipated weather event and the actual state of the LAFD’s budget.
The conflict between Crowley and Bass became public, with Crowley accusing the mayor of conducting a “smear campaign” against her.
This isn’t Crowley’s first legal claim against the city. Back in August 2025, she alleged defamation, retaliation, and negligence following her demotion earlier that year.
She has expressed that she feels scapegoated for the slow response to the fire and the mayor’s absence during that critical time.
The California Post has sought comments from Bass’s office regarding the matter.
