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Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass faced significant backlash over her decision to compensate wildfire recovery czar Steve Soboroff with $500,000 for just 90 days of work. After a whirlwind of criticism, Bass reversed her course late Saturday, stating that Soboroff would now volunteer his services.
The Los Angeles Times initially reported on Saturday that Soboroff, known for his roles as a real estate developer and civic leader, was set to receive this hefty sum while serving as the city’s chief recovery officer.
Originally, the funding for Soboroff’s salary was to come from charitable organizations. However, by Saturday evening, Mayor Bass had a change of heart. She announced that Soboroff would manage the recovery efforts at no charge.
“Steve is always there for LA. I spoke to him today and asked him to modify his agreement and work for free. He said yes,” Bass stated, as reported by the Times. “We agree that we don’t need anything distracting from the recovery work we’re doing.”
Meanwhile, another key player in this recovery mission, longtime real estate executive Randy Johnson, was expected to receive $250,000 from philanthropic sources for his assistance with Soboroff. However, he too would now work pro bono, according to the mayor.
Bass expressed gratitude for Johnson’s willingness to contribute his expertise without financial compensation.
City Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez, who is part of the recovery committee, expressed her outrage at the idea of philanthropic groups compensating two individuals a total of $750,000. She labeled the financial arrangement as “obscene,” questioning the judgment behind such expenditures.
Former Trump envoy for special missions, Ric Grenell, added fuel to the fire with his comments on social media. He questioned the morality of paying Soboroff such an exorbitant sum for three months’ work, deeming it a “money grab” and offensive. His tweet aimed at Soboroff stirred further discontent.
“He’s getting paid $500,000 for 3 months of work? And they call this a charity. Gross. Offensive,” Grenell wrote, emphasizing the stark contrast between Soboroff’s pay and his own lack of compensation during public service efforts.
Residents from areas affected by the fires voiced their own discontent. Larry Vein, a Pacific Palisades resident whose home endured smoke damage, criticized Soboroff’s reported compensation. He stated that no one should profit financially from recovery efforts.
Steve Danton, a temporary resident of Marina del Rey whose home was destroyed in the Palisades Fire, claimed that Soboroff’s compensation illustrates a larger crisis of leadership within the city.
Earlier in the day, Soboroff defended his proposed fee to the Los Angeles Times. He cited his specialized knowledge and extensive responsibilities, including liaising with federal agencies and abandoning other consulting opportunities. He pointed out his long history of volunteering for major civic projects without remuneration.
“I’ve been doing this for 35 years for free on some of the biggest civic projects for the city of Los Angeles. But nobody ever asked me to drop everything. This time they did,” Soboroff explained. “And I said OK, under the condition that my pay not be taken out of city money, or from any wildfire survivors who would otherwise benefit from that money.”
Working alongside residents, Soboroff stated that he has fielded questions from thousands and has made recommendations to streamline the city permitting process. He advised the mayor on hiring an external project manager to revamp the infrastructure damaged by the wildfires.
“At the end of the day, I’m doing the stuff that all these other people are just studying,” Soboroff added. “I’m implementing to help people reach their goals of getting back in their houses and getting their jobs back.”
Public Sentiment and Future Directions
The swift backlash against Soboroff’s original compensation raises questions about transparency in civic funding and the role of philanthropic support in the recovery process. Many residents are left wondering how taxpayer resources are allocated during times of crisis.
Mayor Bass’s reversal illustrates a responsiveness to public sentiment, indicating that civic leaders must be vigilant about community perceptions, particularly in the wake of disasters.
As recovery efforts continue, stakeholders in Los Angeles will want to ensure that the rebuilding process is conducted efficiently and transparently, preserving public trust. With the wildfire recovery efforts now under scrutiny, residents, officials, and civic leaders alike may need to engage in further dialogue concerning the management of funds in challenging times.
