Rick Caruso, a well-known property developer and former LA mayoral candidate, has joined others in criticizing Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass for leaving the city ahead of a powerful windstorm fueling wildfires.
Mayor Bass departed for a diplomatic trip to Africa over the weekend, despite warnings from the National Weather Service about extreme wind and fire conditions in Los Angeles. As wildfires spread, Caruso and others questioned the mayor's decision to leave and not return early.
Caruso, who lost a mayoral bid to Bass in 2022, expressed disappointment, calling her departure a 'dereliction of duty.' He and his daughter lost homes in Malibu and Pacific Palisades, with one of his properties, Palisades Village, sustaining damage while surrounding areas were devastated.
Describing the scene as resembling 'hell,' Caruso emphasized the widespread destruction caused by the fires. He criticized the lack of water supply for firefighters in high-elevation areas, leading to reports of empty fire hydrants in Pacific Palisades.
Caruso highlighted the impact on local businesses, many of which were gutted by the flames. He urged city officials to implement aid programs for small business owners and streamline the permit process for rebuilding.
Calling for support from the city, state, and federal government, Caruso emphasized the need for swift action to assist affected businesses and communities in the aftermath of the wildfires.
