LOS ANGELES () — Thousands of property owners who lost homes in the Palisades Fire are now suing the city of Los Angeles – and among the plaintiffs is the brother of Mayor Karen Bass.
Court filings show Kenneth D. Bass is part of the sweeping legal action that also targets the state of California, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and multiple other entities.
Many residents in the burn zone say they blame the city for the destruction, and some expressed surprise to learn the mayor’s brother is pursuing the same claims.
With strong winds pushing embers across Pacific Palisades and into Malibu, the fire left widespread devastation. According to the lawsuit that was first reported on by L.A. Material, Kenneth Bass owned a Malibu property. Aerial footage shows the main home was destroyed.
The lawsuit describes the property as a “Total Burn Down” and says Kenneth Bass suffered “Smoke Inhalation” and “Emotional Distress.”
Malibu resident Abe Roy, who also lost a home and runs a company helping families rebuild, said the situation is unusual but understandable.
“The politics of it is very strange,” Roy said. “He’s another resident who’s endured significant loss and significant damage and he has every right to go after and make this right.”
Mayor Bass declined an interview request. Her press secretary, Paige Sterling, issued a written statement saying in part:
“There’s nothing new here – Mayor Bass has spoken of her brother’s loss publicly since January of 2025. Thousands of people are plaintiffs in this action…”
Attempts to reach Kenneth Bass were unsuccessful. The law firm representing him and many others, Frantz Law Group, said in a statement:
“Their family connections are irrelevant, and as non-public citizens they are entitled to respectful privacy as they pursue their legal rights along with all represented victims.”
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