FireAid Hires Lawyers to Investigate Dispersal of Benefit Funds

FireAid, the organization that hosted the massive fundraiser to benefit LA fire victims, has hired the law firm Latham & Watkins to review how the money is being dispersed. During the benefit concert hosted in January, the organization raised over $100 million, but elected officials, including President Trump, have questioned whether the donations are being used as proposed.

What politicians said:

• Congressman Kevin Kiley (R-CA): “Tens of thousands of people in Southern California lost so much in the wildfires, including their homes and loved ones. Americans generously opened their wallets to help the people impacted by the wildfires. Every penny should go towards helping those people rebuild their lives.”

• Kiley also called for Attorney General Pam Bondi to open an investigation into the dispersal of funds.

FireAid’s response:

• FireAid released a statement that says the organization partnered with local nonprofits to provide “food, security, housing, resources for schools and more directly to individuals in affected communities.”

• FireAid reports it has given out $75 million so far, with the remaining $25 million to come by the end of the year.

• The funds went to over 160 “frontline nonprofits, schools, and local organizations,” which were vetted by the investment bank, Goldman Sachs.

• The statement also cites an LA Times investigation into the funds that said, “FireAid was an urgent lifeline in the worst of the disaster and beyond.”

The fundraiser:

• The event was organized by Irving Azoff, chairman of Azoff MSG Entertainment, and the LA Clippers owner Steve Ballmer.

• Billie Eilish, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Olivia Rodrigo, Stevie Wonder, among many other major artists, performed.