Ousted L.A. fire chief claims Bass ran a misinformation campaign, defamed her to save herself
By Richard Winton / L.A. Times Staff Writer
Aug. 20, 2025
The former Los Angeles fire chief filed a legal claim against the city Wednesday, alleging that Mayor Karen Bass "orchestrated a campaign of misinformation, defamation, and retaliation" to protect her political image after the most destructive wildfire in city history.
Kristin Crowley and her lawyers accuse Bass of ousting her, and repeatedly defaming Crowley as Bass sought to shift blame for the way the city handled the catastrophic Palisades Fire "while concealing the extent to which she undermined public safety" with cuts to the fire department's budget.
The legal claim alleges that Bass scapegoated Crowley amid mounting criticism of the mayor's decision to attend a ceremony in Ghana on Jan. 7, when the fire erupted. Bass left Los Angeles despite her knowing of the potential severe winds and deadly fire danger, the claim alleges…
