House Republicans launch investigation into distribution of L.A. fire charity funds
WASHINGTON— Two House Republicans on Wednesday launched an investigation that will examine, in part, how a California charity used a $500,000 grant to support victims of the deadly Palisades and Eaton fires; It’s a move that expands congressional scrutiny of the disaster response.
Reps. Kevin Kiley (R-Rocklin) and Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) sent a letter to the head of the California Volunteer Fund requesting financial records About the $500,000 grant He received money from disaster relief organization FireAid, which raised an estimated $100 million for fire victims through its flagship benefit concerts in January.
“It is not publicly available how the California Volunteer Fund distributed this $500,000 or which individuals or organizations received funds,” Kiley and Jordan wrote in a letter Wednesday to Dave Smith, the fund’s executive director. “It is also unclear whether state-based California Volunteers on the run from the Governor’s Office received any of the FireAid-derived funds through the California Volunteer Fund.”
Kiley and Jordan added that they want to review all documents and communications related to the California fires between the California Volunteers Fund and California Volunteers, an organization the charity supports and is housed in Governor Gavin Newsom’s office.
Their letter stated that FireAid “has come under scrutiny for directing donations to nonprofits rather than providing direct assistance to fire victims.”
The California Volunteer Fund and the governor’s office did not immediately respond to a request seeking comment.
The congressional investigation into the distribution of disaster relief funds follows months of pressure from Republican politicians, including President Trump, who questioned FireAid’s methods and priorities. In July, Kiley called for an investigation into charitable funds, urging the attorney general to launch an investigation into the matter.
Politically, the investigation comes as Newsom, whose office was mentioned several times in the letter, has become a frequent political target of Trump and Republicans amid speculation he could make a potential presidential run in 2028.
In response to criticism, FireAid produced two audit reports, including an independent review conducted by law firm Latham & Watkins, which found no evidence of fraud or misappropriation of funds. Reports were sent to local and federal authorities and the Department of Justice.
“The law firm conducted an independent review of the charity and shared conclusive findings confirming that FireAid acted in accordance with its mission, had strong accountability measures and that assistance was reaching affected communities,” the FireAid organization said in a statement about the review findings at the time. he said.
