Former LAFD chief recordsdata lawsuit towards metropolis of Los Angeles – NBC Los Angeles

The previous chief of the Los Angeles Hearth Division has filed a lawsuit towards town over her ouster as head of the company after the lethal Palisades Hearth.

The employment retaliation lawsuit alleges violation of retaliation protections within the state labor code and within the state structure.

Mayor Karen Bass eliminated Crowley as fireplace chief in February after the January 2025 Palisades Hearth, one of many deadliest and most damaging wildfires on document in California, and a public spat between the 2 over the response to the fireplace. Crowley remained with the division at a decrease rank.

Crowley filed a authorized declare, a precursor to a lawsuit, in August that accused Bass of an “orchestrated marketing campaign of misinformation, defamation and retaliation” throughout and after the fireplace, which began Jan. 7, 2025 in a extreme Santa Ana windstorm.

Bass, who was abroad on the time the fireplace, lauded Crowley within the early hours of the fireplace, however stated she later discovered that further firefighters may have been deployed on the day the Palisades Hearth began. Bass additionally stated Crowley refused to organize a report on the fires.

In response to the courtroom papers, Cowley says after initially praising the fireplace division’s response, “Bass reversed course,” in an effort to discover somebody responsible after criticism of Bass’ absence from LA on the time of the fireplace, and her price range resolution to chop the working price range of the fireplace division.

“She sought to keep away from accountability by shifting blame and mendacity – together with falsely claiming that she was not conscious of the nationally anticipated climate occasion, falsely claiming that that the LAFD’s price range was not reduce, and falsely claiming that LAFD’s assets would have supported a further 1,000 firefighters to struggle the blaze — claims contradicted by public information and Bass’ personal prior statements,” in keeping with the paperwork.

Crowley challenged her elimination, together with an 11-minute plea to the Metropolis Council. She repeated statements that the division was restricted due to fireplace engines that have been sidelined for upkeep.

Crowley stated price range cuts impacted mechanics and primarily affected fireplace engines and ambulances that wanted restore. Crowley stated she really useful working in collaboration the Hearth Security Analysis Institute (FSRI) on a post-fire report.

She additionally refuted the mayor’s claims that she didn’t notify her workplace in regards to the windstorm and probably life-threatening wildfire circumstances.

Twelve individuals died and practically 7,000 properties have been destroyed within the Palisades Hearth.