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Ousted LAFD Chief Kristin Crowley files claim saying she was defamed and thrown under the bus by Bass after January fires
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, right, and Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley, left, address the media at a press conference earlier this year.
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Allen J. Schaben
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Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
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Topline:
Former L.A. Fire Department Fire Chief Kristin Crowley filed a claim Wednesday against the city of Los Angeles and Mayor Karen Bass, alleging defamation, retaliation and negligence in the wake of the January firestorm that led to her being ousted.
The background: Bass fired Crowley in February , saying the former chief failed to mobilize enough firefighters before the Palisades Fire broke out the month before. Shortly following her firing, Crowley said she based her actions “on taking care of our firefighters so that they could take care of our communities."
What is Crowley claiming? Crowley claims that after she told the public Bass had cut the Fire Department’s operating budget by $17.6 million, the mayor retaliated and removed her from her position. Crowley also alleges that Bass and her office simultaneously launched a smear campaign built on falsehoods.
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What are the demands? Crowley and her legal team want an immediate retraction of all “false statements,” a formal and public apology and an end to all alleged ongoing retaliation. “The lies, deceit, exaggerations and misrepresentations need to be addressed with the only thing that can refute them — the true facts,” Crowley said through her legal team. “Doing the right thing even when it is hard, is always the right decision, and that is why I am continuing to fight for the resources our firefighters need to keep us all safe.”
What the mayor says: “We will not comment on an ongoing personnel claim,” David Michaelson, the mayor’s legal counsel, said in a statement. “Mayor Bass is focused on the city's preparations for the hottest temperatures of the year and the potential for regional fire danger.”
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But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
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