LA Mayor Karen Bass Faces Scrutiny Over Delayed Release of Fire response Texts
Table of Contents
- 1. LA Mayor Karen Bass Faces Scrutiny Over Delayed Release of Fire response Texts
- 2. Teh Backstory: A City Ablaze,a Mayor Abroad
- 3. Openness Under Fire: The Delayed Records Release
- 4. Inside the Texts: Key Exchanges During the Crisis
- 5. The Impending Questions Surrounding unreleased Records
- 6. LAist Newsletter Sign up
- 7. Keep up with LAist.
- 8. What are the legal ramifications of delays in releasing records, particularly regarding the recovery of deleted messages and the handling of requests from diffrent media outlets under the california Public Records Act?
- 9. Interview: Transparency Concerns Emerge in LA Mayor Karen Bass’s Fire Response Records Delay
- 10. Interview with Amelia Chen, Legal Analyst Specializing in public Records
By Archyde News Journalist
Teh Backstory: A City Ablaze,a Mayor Abroad
In January,as Los Angeles found itself engulfed in a series of devastating wildfires,Mayor Karen Bass was
thousands of miles away in Ghana,attending the inauguration of the country’s new president as part of
a federal delegation. The fires, which would later be known as the Palisades and Eaton fires, claimed
the lives of 30 people and decimated countless homes and buildings across the region.
Bass’s return journey stretched over 24 hours,a period during which Los Angeles faced the most
destructive firestorm in its recent history. The crisis underscored the critical importance of
leadership and interaction, especially during emergencies.
Openness Under Fire: The Delayed Records Release
Following the devastating wildfires in early January, questions arose regarding the city’s response and
preparedness. LAist filed a public records request seeking communications from Mayor Karen Bass related
to the emergency, specifically focusing on the crucial period between January 1 and January 8, 2025.
initially, Mayor Bass’s team stated that thay required until May 1 to fulfill LAist’s complete
records request, which sought a broader range of texts than those previously shared with the L.A. Times
and other news outlets. The original request encompassed:
- Text messages sent and received from the city cellphone(s) issued to Mayor Karen Bass, from Jan. 1,
2025, to Jan. 8, 2025, containing any of the following words and phrases in their body text: red
flag warning, strong winds, winds, fire, Pacific Palisades, Pacific Palisades Fire, Eaton Fire,
Pasadena, Altadena, response and Hurst Fire. - Emails sent and received by Mayor Karen Bass from Jan. 1, 2025, to Jan.8, 2025, containing any of
the following words and phrases in their body text: red flag warning, strong winds, winds, fire,
Pacific Palisades, Pacific Palisades Fire, Eaton Fire, pasadena, Altadena, response and Hurst Fire. - Email communications between Mayor Karen Bass and LAFD Fire Chief kristin Crowley from Jan. 1, 2025
to Jan.8, 2025.
To date, LAist’s request remains unfulfilled, raising questions about transparency and compliance with
public records laws. Following the release of text messages to other media organizations, LAist also
requested to review the available records. Despite this, Bass’s team did not respond to LAist’s email
request for review or provide an clarification for the delay. Access to the records was only granted
after LAist contacted Bass’s spokesperson for comment on a story reporting on the delay.
These delays and inconsistencies in the release of information have sparked concerns about transparency
and equal access to public records.
“Once a public agency releases public records to one requester, voluntarily and intentionally, it is
required to release the same records to anyone else who requests them,”David Loy, First Amendment Coalition
Loy further emphasizes the gravity of the situation, stating that “ if a public agency is playing
favorites, that is a serious problem under the Public Records Act, because they’re obligated under the
law. … If they release records to one, they must release records to all.”
In response to inquiries about the discrepancy, Bass’s office suggested that LAist should have contacted
the communications team directly for the records, despite having followed established procedures for
previous requests. This explanation has done little to quell concerns about the fairness and
transparency of the process.
Its worth noting that The L.A. Times previously reported that officials initially claimed Bass’s text
message records related to the fire response had been automatically deleted after 30 days. However,the
mayor’s team later stated that they were able to recover the messages using “specialized technology,”
raising further questions about the handling and retention of public records.
Inside the Texts: Key Exchanges During the Crisis
The released text messages offer a glimpse into the communications surrounding the city’s response to the
fires. Here are some key exchanges:
- on the morning of January 7, as forecasters issued warnings about dangerous winds, the released texts
show no discussion about wind danger before the Palisades Fire ignited. Prior to receiving alerts
about the fires, Bass was communicating with her team about sending flowers to Monica Rodriguez, a
Los Angeles City Council member. - Councilmember Bob Blumenfield texted Bass, mentioning his access to “a warehouse full of supplies
outside of regular channels that we maintain year round for emergencies and am providing shelters
etc — long story, but literal tons of supplies.” bass did not respond. - Los Angeles Councilmember Katy Young Yaroslavsky texted Bass, stating, “Traci and my sense is that
we don’t have nearly enough bodies on the ground helping folks get out and/or around. If national
guard is an option it would probably be really helpful.” Traci Park also serves on the Los Angeles
city Council, representing the district that includes the Palisades. Bass did not reply. - The texts indicate that Bass first learned of the palisades fire from her deputy chief of staff,
Celine Cordero, while attending a party at the U.S. Embassy in Ghana. The ensuing texts depict a
concerned Bass attempting to manage the situation remotely, grappling with communication challenges
during her 24-hour journey home. She was also inundated with messages of support from city, state,
and federal officials. - Within 24 hours of the Palisades Fire breaking out,Cordero texted Bass that fire crews were
“essentially in life-saving mode,and structures are a secondary concern at this point.” Cordero
also reported “multiple civilian victims injured (# TBD)” and an “unofficial estimate [of] 200 homes
burned.”
The Impending Questions Surrounding unreleased Records
The delayed release of these crucial documented communications brings up significant legal and ethical
questions.
“The California Public Records Act does not impose any particular record retention requirements on
public agencies. It simply says agencies must disclose what they have in their possession at the time
of the request.”David Loy, First Amendment Coalition
However, as Loy points out, the city’s administrative code mandates that records be preserved for a
minimum of two years. “ This particular provision of Los Angeles administrative code, I believe, does
apply to things like emails and texts of the mayor,” he explains. “And so if the mayor was
auto-deleting text messages that pertain to public business and not retaining them for up to two years
as required by the city’s own administrative code, that could be a significant problem.”
These concerns have prompted LAist to reach out to city Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto’s office for
clarification and comment.The response from the City Attorney’s office is eagerly awaited, as it could
shed light on the city’s record-keeping practices and commitment to transparency.
What are the legal ramifications of delays in releasing records, particularly regarding the recovery of deleted messages and the handling of requests from diffrent media outlets under the california Public Records Act?
Interview: Transparency Concerns Emerge in LA Mayor Karen Bass’s Fire Response Records Delay
By Archyde News Journalist
Interview with Amelia Chen, Legal Analyst Specializing in public Records
Archyde News reached out to Amelia Chen, a legal analyst specializing in public records and government transparency, to shed light on the complexities surrounding the delayed release of Mayor Bass’s communications.
Archyde News: Ms. Chen, thank you for joining us. Can you provide a general overview of California’s Public Records Act and its implications in this case?
Amelia Chen: Certainly. The California Public Records Act, or CPRA, is designed to ensure public access to government information. It mandates that government agencies disclose public records upon request, with some exceptions. This includes text messages and emails related to official business,like the fire response in this situation. The key is that the agency must provide what it has, according to the law, and the implications of any withholding is a major cause for concern.
Archyde News: The article mentions a delay in the release of Mayor Bass’s communications. What are the legal ramifications of such delays, particularly regarding the recovery of deleted messages and the handling of requests from different media outlets?
Amelia Chen: Delays can be problematic. While there’s no strict timeframe, especially if retrieving records involves a complex search, the CPRA emphasizes timely access. The initial claims about automatic deletion, followed by the later recovery using “specialized technology,” raise suspicions. Public agencies must have robust record-keeping practices to prevent such issues and demonstrate non-discrimination. Providing records to some outlets and not others, or delaying access, clearly violates the law and principles of fairness.
Archyde News: the article highlights inconsistencies in providing access to various media outlets. How does this impact the public’s right to information?
Amelia Chen: It is indeed a serious problem. When the public is given different information it creates a chilling effect on freedom, and causes concerns about equal rights. The Public records Act provides for equal access. This doesn’t just have legal implications,but erodes the public’s trust in their government. If a city releases records to one media outlet, they must release the same records to everyone who requests them, regardless of the outlet. This safeguards the integrity of our democracy.
archyde News: Looking ahead, what advice would you give to the public and to local agencies regarding the handling of public records during emergencies?
Amelia Chen: For the public, remain informed. Follow up on your requests, don’t be afraid to ask questions, and explore legal avenues if you feel your rights were violated. for local agencies, the key is to be proactive. Implement clear protocols for record retention and recovery, educate staff on the CPRA, and prioritize transparency. Regular audits of record-keeping practices can prevent potentially damaging situations like this.
Archyde News: considering the potential implications – what are the public’s rights to question the administration’s actions in the wake of such events, and what do you believe the public can do if they suspect malfeasance or unfair play?
Amelia Chen: Public questioning is not only a right but a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. If there’s a suspicion of intentional behaviour by government leaders, seeking legal counsel might be necessary. The public can seek support from organizations like the First Amendment Coalition. Furthermore,contacting the City Attorney’s Office can provide direction. ultimately, every individual can help, by spreading information, and actively seeking governmental records so that they are provided equal information with which to act upon.
Archyde News: Ms. Chen, thank you for your insights.
