Former Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley files a defamation lawsuit against Mayor Karen Bass, according to reporting from multiple outlets. Crowley, who previously led the LAFD, says Bass made statements during the campaign trail and that those remarks harmed her reputation. She argues the mayor’s comments are not protected by government immunity, and she seeks personal liability against Bass rather than relief only from the city.
The lawsuit also cites a broader dispute involving Crowley’s role in discussions around failures and accountability leading up to the Palisades Fire, with Crowley alleging Bass’s public statements were false. One outlet frames the dispute as part of a feud surrounding events before and during the fire period, while the other focuses on the legal question of whether campaign remarks fall outside immunity protections.
The complaint comes after Crowley’s dismissal as fire chief, which she links to the contested public narrative. Bass has not been quoted in the available summaries, and court filings and legal arguments are presented by Crowley. The case proceeds through the court system.
