Fire Chief sued for retaliation after payroll dispute


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Just weeks before devastating wildfires swept through Los Angeles, high-ranking fire officials found themselves embroiled in a contentious legal dispute.

A lawsuit filed by former LAFD fire administrator Jenny Park alleges that Fire Chief Kristin Crowley terminated her employment in December 2023 after she raised concerns about an alleged salary overpayment issue.

According to Park’s attorney, Martin Aarons, Chief Crowley allegedly received approximately $37,000 in excess of her designated salary. When Park, drawing from her background as a deputy city attorney, attempted to address the repayment matter with Crowley, she reportedly received no response.

“Chief Crowley got paid a significant amount of money that was an overpayment — thousands of dollars — and, to our knowledge, never repaid that money,” Aarons told the outlet.

“She just refused to do so,” he continued. “Ms. Park would routinely remind her about it and she just ghosted her.”

The legal filing further details allegations of intimidation, harassment, and retaliatory actions against Park by both Crowley and LAFD Deputy Chief Orin Saunders.

“Chief Crowley’s and Chief Saunders’ harassment and retaliation caused enormous stress and anxiety for Ms. Park, harming her physical health, mental well-being and financial security,” the lawsuit continued, per the Daily Mail.

The lawsuit documents describe attempts to silence Park through intimidation tactics, with officials allegedly trying to blame her for issues related to a payroll system. Additionally, Park reportedly voiced concerns in September 2023 regarding a potentially problematic third-party contract proposed by Saunders, which she believed created a conflict of interest.

Anticipating potential backlash, Park met with Los Angeles officials to discuss her fears of retaliation for exposing and preventing the contract’s approval.

“Ms. Park had been sharing her distress and frustration with colleagues regarding ongoing harassment and retaliation and informed several former and current high-ranking members of the department that she had filed a complaint direct with Chief Sanders,” the lawsuit added.

The controversy emerges as Crowley and senior fire officials face public scrutiny over their handling of recent wildfires in the Los Angeles area. Critics have questioned the department’s emergency response capabilities, particularly in light of its emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.

On the LAFD website, Crowley is noted as the “first female and LGBTQ Fire Chief in the LAFD.” Her official biography emphasizes her commitment to fostering diversity, inclusion, and equity while meeting community expectations.