Karen Bass’ Brother Joins Spencer Pratt in Lawsuit Against Los Angeles

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is facing legal action from an unlikely source: her own brother, who has joined Spencer Pratt and thousands of other fire victims in a sweeping lawsuit against the city over its handling of the Palisades fire.

Kenneth Bass, 78, and his wife, who lost their Malibu home in January 2025, are joining Pratt in a massive lawsuit against the city, the Department of Water and Power, and others, for alleged negligence.

Among the claims is that the Santa Ynez Reservoir, which holds roughly 117 million gallons of water, was empty when the fire broke out, contributing to low water pressure in some neighborhoods as firefighters battled the blaze.

The Palisades fire was one of the most destructive wildfires in Los Angeles’ history, with about 13,000 homes destroyed, at least 28 dead, and damage estimates exceeding $30 billion, fueling ongoing questions about whether city officials were adequately prepared for a wildfire threat.

The addition of the mayor’s brother to the lawsuit creates an unusual political dynamic for Karen Bass, whose handling of the Palisades fire has faced intense scrutiny from residents who lost homes and businesses.

Pratt, who ran for mayor largely on criticism of Karen Bass’ handling of the fire, highlighted the unlikely alliance with a comment about awkward family Thanksgivings. 

In a comment to ABC 7, the mayor’s press secretary seemed to not be concerned. 

“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.”

The city has repeatedly defended its response to the fires, arguing that unprecedented weather conditions and extreme fire behavior created challenges for emergency responders across the region.

This morning, Pratt shared on X that Californians should expect to learn “shocking details” in the coming weeks about Newsom and Bass’ handling of the Palisades fires. 

The development adds a striking twist to the fallout from the fire: even the mayor’s own brother is seeking to hold the city accountable in court.

The case is expected to move through the courts over the coming months as plaintiffs seek to determine what role, if any, city officials, utility managers, and emergency planning decisions played in the scale of the destruction.