Mayor Karen Bass Refuses to Answer Questions Under Oath in Defamation Lawsuit
Ousted Fire Chief Kristin Crowley seeks to depose Bass over alleged false statements made during a mayoral debate regarding the Palisades Fire.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is refusing to submit to questioning under oath as part of a defamation lawsuit filed by former Fire Chief Kristin Crowley, who Bass dismissed following the deadly Palisades Fire. Crowley's attorney, Mia Munro, is seeking to depose Bass regarding statements the mayor made during a May mayoral debate, which are central to the lawsuit.
Crowley's legal team wants to question Bass about her knowledge of events surrounding the fire, particularly why she repeated certain claims during the debate. According to Crowley's complaint, Bass made statements that were "false" and that Bass "knew it" at the time, citing LAFD official documents to which Bass had access as mayor.
Bass, through her attorney Ian Van Dusen, has reportedly declined to participate in a deposition. Munro stated in a sworn declaration that she was "advised that Bass would not agree to any discovery." Crowley's attorneys had sought "a limited deposition of Defendant Karen Bass, addressing the issue of Bass’ state of mind" during the debate. Bass's office has not responded to requests for comment.
During the televised debate, Bass addressed the Palisades Fire, stating, "The primary problem there was that the chief sent home a thousand firefighters." She also claimed that "fire trucks that were out of use because she had sent the firefighters home" and that pre-deployment in the area did not occur as planned. Crowley's lawsuit asserts that these statements were false and that Bass was aware of their falsehoods.
Crowley's legal team also sought a written response from Bass admitting or denying the accuracy of her debate statements, but Van Dusen refused, filing an anti-SLAPP motion. Munro noted that Bass has not provided a declaration attesting to the truthfulness or her belief in the truthfulness of her statements made during the debate.
An additional point of contention is the funding for Bass's legal defense. Sources close to the case question whether the city is paying for Bass's defense, arguing that the lawsuit stems from statements made as a candidate, not in her official capacity as mayor. They suggest Bass is attempting to claim official immunity while her comments were made during a campaign event, and that taxpayer money should not be used for her defense.
A judge is expected to rule on Crowley's discovery motion on November 2, the day before the election. A person familiar with the case described Bass's refusal to participate as "entirely political" and "rooted in her personal interest."
The defamation suit followed a public dispute that emerged shortly after the January 2025 Palisades blaze, which resulted in significant destruction and fatalities. Crowley was dismissed as LAFD Chief on February 21, 2025, reportedly receiving a note citing "management incompatible with what is required of leaders of City departments" and specifically mentioning the decision to send firefighters home on the morning of the fire.
The lawsuit alleges that Bass continued to spread misinformation, including falsely stating that Crowley refused to conduct an after-action fire report, denied budget cuts, blamed Crowley for inadequate pre-deployment of firefighters, and for not personally contacting Bass about dangerous weather conditions.