Imperfect Paradise: An update to the Bass vs. Crowley feud

Norco 80

LAist Studios

True Crime

4.2 • 887 Ratings

🗓️ 3 September 2025

⏱️ 41 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Last month, former Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristen Crowley filed a legal claim against Los Angeles mayor Karen Bass, alleging defamation, retaliation and negligence in the wake of Bass’ firing of her. It’s the latest chapter in a feud that erupted during the historic wildfires in January. In light of these new developments, we bring you our original episode from April 2025 about how Bass and Crowley’s feud came to be.

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Transcript

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0:00.0	This week on Imperfect Paradise, a new chapter unfolds in the feud between former L.A. Fire Chief Kristen Crowley and L.A. Mayor Karen Bass. What kicked off the conflict in the first place? Listen to Imperfect Paradise wherever you get your podcasts.
0:15.1	Join me, Glenn Washington, for one night only of supernatural storytelling.
0:20.8	Snoot Live. October 23rd at the Orpheum Theater. for one night only of supernatural storytelling. Street live.
0:22.9	October 23 at the Orpheum Theater, tickets at LAS.com slash events.
0:30.0	This is in Perfect Paradise.
0:32.1	I'm Antonia Zedijito.
0:37.1	Last month, former L.A. fire chief Kristen Crowley filed a legal claim against L.A. mayor
0:42.5	Karen Bass, alleging defamation, retaliation, and negligence in the wake of Bass's firing of her.
0:50.2	It's the latest chapter in a feud that erupted during the historic wildfires in January.
0:55.7	We covered that feud earlier this year on Imperfect Paradise.
0:59.5	And so in light of these new developments, we are bringing you again our original episode about this contentious relationship.
1:06.4	The fallout over LAFD funding Bass versus Crowley.
1:26.1	It was January 8th, the day after two giant firestorms had engulfed Los Angeles.
1:29.8	More than a thousand structures had already burned down.
1:33.4	And everyone was looking for someone to blame.
1:37.2	Megan Kelly, the conservative political commentator,
1:41.8	went on her serious XM show to blast two Los Angeles government officials for their response to the fires.
1:43.5	The first L.A. Mayor Karen Bass, for being on a diplomatic trip when the fires erupted.
1:50.3	The city's mayor, Karen Bass, is in Ghana right now.
1:56.2	She's on her way back now.
1:58.2	But she's not even in the country.
2:00.0	And second, L.A. Fire Department chief Kristen Crowley, the first woman, an openly gay L.A.
	...

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