Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass’ brother, Kenneth Bass, has joined a lawsuit against the city over damages from the 2025 Palisades fire, which destroyed his Malibu home. The lawsuit, filed on May 18, alleges smoke inhalation injuries, emotional distress, and mental anguish. It is part of a larger master lawsuit involving thousands of plaintiffs and 18 defendants, including public entities and utility companies. The city and Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) have denied responsibility for the losses.
Mayor Bass’ office stated that her brother’s participation in the lawsuit is not new, noting she has publicly acknowledged his loss since January 2025. The fire, which killed 12 people and destroyed 6,800 structures, has become a contentious issue in her reelection campaign. Bass faced criticism for being out of the country during the fires, attending a presidential inauguration in Ghana. She later expressed remorse for the decision.
The lawsuit is part of a broader legal battle over accountability for the fire’s devastation. Bass advanced to the November runoff in the mayoral election, where she will face City Councilwoman Nithya Raman.