Steve Soboroff, the wildfire recovery czar appointed by Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, expressed his frustrations about his unpaid role during a private event at Harvard-Westlake School. Speaking to an audience, Soboroff claimed he felt “lied to” regarding his compensation and shared that he had documentation to support his claims. His remarks come amid controversy surrounding the city’s initial plan to pay him $500,000 over 90 days, which was met with public outcry, leading him to work without pay.
Soboroff, a prominent real estate developer and civic leader, was selected for the position in mid-January, shortly after the devastating Palisades fire that destroyed numerous homes in the Pacific Palisades area. Initially, he indicated that his salary would be covered by philanthropic contributions, a stance that Bass echoed later, without specifying the amount. However, during his recent address at the alumni event, Soboroff revealed that he found himself in a precarious situation, stating, “I had no money and no contract.” He recounted discovering that the promised funds were not available while he faced mounting personal bills.
In a candid moment, Soboroff laid out his dilemma, saying he had two options: to resign and go public with his grievances or to continue working for free, hoping for future compensation. His comments, recorded at the event, highlighted the tension surrounding the recovery efforts following the fire, which have been fraught with challenges. “So then I found out that they really didn’t have the money,” he explained, adding, “And then I found out I really did have the [personal] bills.”
However, just days later, Soboroff retracted his earlier statements, clarifying that he did not believe the mayor had intentionally misled him. “That was not what I feel and not what I meant,” he told reporters, indicating a desire to mend any rifts between him and the mayor’s office. In response to his comments, a spokesperson for Bass referred to Soboroff’s clarification, emphasizing the need for unity in the recovery process.
The incident has cast a shadow over the mayor’s administration, which is already under scrutiny for its handling of the emergency response to the Palisades fire. In recent weeks, Bass has faced criticism for her interactions with local officials and her absence during the onset of the crisis. Following the fire, she appointed Soboroff to lead recovery efforts, but their working relationship has reportedly been strained, with disagreements on strategy and communication.
As the recovery efforts continue, Bass has reportedly scaled back Soboroff’s responsibilities, limiting his focus to rebuilding efforts in specific areas of the Palisades. Despite the challenges, Soboroff remains committed to the recovery mission, having turned down other lucrative opportunities to take on this role. He emphasized his long history of civic work without charge, stating, “You try spending 35 years out of the middle of your life not charging anybody for anything.”
The event at Harvard-Westlake, titled “A Night With Steve Soboroff: Recovery From the LA Fires,” was part of a broader discussion on the ongoing recovery efforts and the challenges faced by those affected by the fires. As Soboroff continues his work, the community and city officials alike will be watching closely to see how the recovery unfolds and whether Soboroff’s concerns can be adequately addressed.