Kenneth Bass, brother of Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, has sued the city of Los Angeles after his home burned down in the destructive Palisades fire in 2025.
The report said Kenneth and his wife filed the lawsuit on May 18 and alleged smoke inhalation and the distress of losing their Malibu home.
“There’s nothing new here — Mayor Bass has spoken of her brother’s loss publicly since January of 2025,” Bass’s office told the Washington Examiner. “Thousands of people are plaintiffs in this action, which names 18 public and private sector defendants. The City Attorney’s Office is responsible for defending the City and DWP in this lawsuit.”
Bass was vocal about the destruction of the home during a Pacific Palisades Community Council meeting in January 2025.
“The loss that you’re going through, I share indirectly. It’s hit my family too,” Bass said. “It’s a type of shock and grief that is trauma that will be with us for a long time.”
Now, Bass’s brother joins thousands who have filed lawsuits against the city. Bass has faced controversy over her handling of the Palisades fires.
Bass was in Africa during the fires. She attended the inauguration of President John Dramani Mahama in Ghana while homes burned and 12 people died.
She expressed remorse in her decision during an interview with then Fox 11 news anchor Elex Michaelson, where she said it was a “mistake.”
Bass advanced to the general election after the mayoral primary on June 2. In California’s jungle primary system, the top two finishers advance to the runoff in November.
LA MAYORAL RACE OUTCOME ‘NOT A HUGE SURPRISE’ BUT PROCESS WAS ‘TERRIBLE’: BYRON YORK
She will be joined by City Councilwoman Nithya Raman. The two contenders beat out reality TV star Spencer Pratt, who was running as an independent.
The general election will be held on Nov. 3.
