Former Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley filed a lawsuit against the city, alleging she was terminated illegally and that the responsibility for the Palisades Fire in large part rests with Mayor Karen Bass.
In the suit, Crowley says Bass undermined public safety and transparency by leaving the agency underfunded and undermanned.
Crowley’s suit alleges her termination was in violation of both State Labor Laws and the Constitution. She is seeking unspecified damages.
On February 21, 2025, Crowley was removed as chief. The mayor had initially praised Crowley's leadership before later criticizing her.
In August, Crowley filed a claim against the city of L.A., alleging that Bass had defamed and retaliated against her.
In an interview with KNX News after a report by the Los Angeles Times alleged that Bass ordered changes to the after-action report of the Pacific Palisades Fire , Bass told KNX News that Crowley refused to do a report on what went wrong.
“I'm the one that ordered the after-action report," she said. "When the fire chief would not do it, I fired her. Why would I water down a report that essentially presented the information for why I fired her? That makes no sense."
Bass' office sent the following statement regarding the lawsuit:
“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. This lawsuit has no merit.”
KNX News is reaching out to the city for a response.
Follow KNX News 97.1 FM
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok