Karen Bass responds to brother’s lawsuit over Palisades Hearth residence loss

Karen Bass couldn’t flee quick sufficient as she was quizzed about her older brother suing the Metropolis of Los Angeles after his luxurious Malibu residence was destroyed within the Palisades fireplace.

The mayor, who’s searching for re-election, repeatedly refused to debate the lawsuit and ducked into her blacked-out chauffer-Suburban when politely approached at World Cup soccer occasion on Thursday. 

Bass was requested three time in regards to the metropolis being sued by her older sibling Kenneth Bass, 78, however refused to reply on every event.

“We’re not speaking about that!” a rattled Bass assistant stated as she tried to stop her boss from being requested questions in regards to the go well with filed by her large brother and his spouse, Cindy, 70.

“We’re specializing in this occasion.”

Bass, 72, was attending an occasion for her Kick it within the Park at Echo Park Lake close to downtown LA to advertise the screening of dwell World Cup soccer matches. 

Her brother’s go well with, filed in Might, exhibits he and spouse, Cindy, are becoming a member of a category motion towards the town over the lethal fireplace.

Their claims states that in addition to their residence being razed, they suffered smoke inhalation, extreme emotional misery, psychological anguish and annoyance.

Their residence was se on 1.5 acres in Rambla Pacifico, Malibu, overlooking the long-lasting Malibu Pier and Surfrider Seaside.

The couple offered the lot with out the principle residence on Might 1 final yr for $2,000,000. The pool, a placing inexperienced an a visitor residence survived the hearth.

They then bought a contemporary five-bedroom, five-bathroom luxurious mansion close to Culver Metropolis in June for $6,100,000, with a $1.1 million mortgage, near his residence transforming firm ”The Kitchen Retailer.” 

The grievance was filed on Might 18 in LA County Superior Courtroom, and seeks a trial by jury.

“The Palisades Hearth has been a traumatic occasion for its victims, who by means of no fault of their very own, went from householders to homeless in a matter of hours,” it states.

A part of the blame, in response to the go well with, is that the Santa Ynez Reservoir situated within the Palisades was left empty – which means there was decreased water provides for firefighters to make use of.

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“Together with tens of 1000’s of victims within the Palisades Hearth, Kenneth and Cindy Bass retained authorized illustration for counsel and recommendation a yr in the past in June 2025,” attorneys for the couple informed The Publish in an announcement. 

“As a part of the mass tort authorized course of, Mr. and Mrs. Bass’ names have been formally added as among the practically 40,000 victims who suffered losses. Their household connections are irrelevant, and as private residents they’re entitled to respectful privateness as they pursue their authorized rights together with all represented victims.”

The lawsuit names the Metropolis of Los Angeles and the LA Division of Water and Energy (LADWP), alongside a laundry listing of different defendants. The unique grievance additionally included Southern California Edison, the J. Paul Getty Belief, and numerous telecom and state park entities.

Mayor Bass, who has confronted scathing criticism over her dealing with of the wildfires, revealed that her brother and his spouse had misplaced their longtime Malibu residence.

“The loss that you just’re going by means of, I share not directly. It’s hit my household too,” she stated two weeks after the hearth.  

Attorneys representing the town and DWP have denied any wrongdoing.

“Our workplace stays assured within the Metropolis’s general place that it isn’t answerable for these disastrous wildfires,” stated Ivor Pine, a spokesperson for the Metropolis Lawyer’s workplace, to L.A. Materials.