Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, who campaigned on promises of equity, inclusion, and tackling homelessness, is now under fire over a series of corruption allegations and scandals that have come to light as the city grapples with devastating wildfires. Critics argue that systemic corruption within her administration and city government has exacerbated the crisis and undermined public trust.
The controversies surrounding Bass include allegations that her administration defunded the Los Angeles Fire Department by USD 17 million, leaving firefighters ill-prepared to combat the wildfires that have ravaged Malibu and Pacific Palisades. Amid the chaos, firefighters reported broken hydrants and inadequate infrastructure, which some attribute to mismanagement within the Department of Water and Power (DWP). Bass appointed Janisse Quinones as DWP’s CEO in 2023, awarding her a USD 750,000 salary—nearly double that of her predecessor. Critics have pointed to her failures in addressing critical infrastructure needs as further evidence of mismanagement.
Adding to the scandals, the FBI raided Deputy Mayor Brian Williams’ home after he was linked to a bomb threat against City Hall. Williams, who oversaw emergency services, police, and fire departments, was placed on administrative leave but has not been charged. Meanwhile, multiple city council members have faced serious allegations, including embezzlement, perjury, racketeering, and bribery. Councilmember Curren Price Jr. was accused of receiving over USD 150,000 in developer payments in exchange for his votes on city projects. In another case, former Councilmember Jose Huizar pleaded guilty to racketeering and tax evasion, while Mark Ridley-Thomas, a veteran politician, was convicted in a bribery scheme involving the University of Southern California.
Bass’s own past connections to USC have also raised questions. During her time in Congress, she received a scholarship from the university’s former dean of social work, Marilyn Flynn, who was later convicted of funneling funds to a politician’s son in exchange for political favors. Although prosecutors clarified Bass was not implicated in wrongdoing, her subsequent sponsorship of a bill expanding federal funding for private universities, including USC, has drawn criticism.
Bass has also faced backlash for attending the inauguration of Ghana’s president earlier this month as wildfires consumed homes in her city. Photos of her at a cocktail party during the trip sparked outrage, with many questioning her priorities. Public frustration has grown as her administration continues to face accusations of a “pay-to-play” culture, where businesses with interests before the city are expected to make donations. Susan Shelley, a political commentator, described this system as “legalized extortion.”
Despite the scandals, Bass has deflected questions about her administration’s role in the crises and has not responded to requests for comment. As investigations continue, the controversies surrounding her leadership and the broader corruption in Los Angeles government remain in the spotlight.
Source: New York Post
