The ultimate authority on how to handle the deluge of media inquiries was Mayor Karen Bass, according to an internal email reviewed by The Times. Erik Scott wrote in an Oct. 9 email to a Bass aide, then-interim Fire Chief Ronnie Villanueva and others. Yusef Robb, an advisor to the mayor, said Thursday that Bass is customarily involved with the decision-making of city departments. The emails reviewed by The Times show that the firm, the Lede Company, had a role in reviewing and suggesting edits to the after-action report. Other internal emails reviewed by The Times show that Bass met with Villanueva about the after-action report in mid-July.

Source: Los Angeles Times February 13, 2026 15:31 UTC