Former Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley is suing the city and Mayor Karen Bass, she announced Wednesday.
Crowley, who was fired in the wake of the January wildfires that devastated the Pacific Palisades, Altadena and other areas of Southern California, claims she’s been defamed and retaliated against. She also alleges negligence on the part of the city and Bass.
“The claim sets out a pattern of dishonesty, scapegoating, and unlawful retaliation that destroyed the career of a 25-year public servant not because of any failure in her duties, but because she told the truth,” her legal team said in a statement.
Specifically, the suit alleges that Crowley “told City leadership and the public that Mayor Bass’ budget cuts and the City’s decades of neglect had left the LAFD underfunded, understaffed, and ill-equipped to handle the rising demands of a growing city, especially one at risk of dangerous wildfires.”
In response to the criticism, Bass fired Crowley and “launched a smear campaign built on falsehoods,” the suit adds.
“Integrity, truthfulness, and serving others before self have guided me throughout my career,” Crowley said in the release. “As the Fire Chief, for nearly three years, I advocated for the proper funding, staffing and infrastructure upgrades to better support and protect our Firefighters, and by extension, our communities.
“The lies, deceit, exaggerations, and misrepresentations need to be addressed with the only thing that can refute them – the true facts. As Firefighters, we run towards uncertainty and are willing to risk it all. 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.”
In response, David Michaelson, counsel to the mayor, declined to comment on “an ongoing personnel claim.”
“Mayor Bass is focused on the city’s preparations for the hottest temperatures of the year and the potential for regional fire danger,” he said.
Nidia Becerra contributed to this report.
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