A senior official in the Los Angeles Fire Department becomes embroiled in controversy over disturbing accusations from a former partner.
According to the Daily Mail, LAFD Assistant Chief Kristina 'Kady' Kepner faces allegations of violent behavior and death threats against her ex-girlfriend, who claims LAFD Chief Kristin Crowley covered up the incidents and proceeded with plans to promote Kepner.
Court documents from 2021 reveal detailed accounts of alleged domestic violence, including attempted strangulation and threats with a butcher knife. The case has resurfaced amid criticism over the department's handling of recent devastating wildfires in Los Angeles.
Former Partner Details Violent Confrontations and Threats
The ex-girlfriend, who remains anonymous due to the nature of the allegations, filed a domestic violence restraining order in November 2021. She provided evidence, including video footage and photographs documenting multiple incidents of alleged abuse. The court documents describe a particularly violent confrontation where Kepner allegedly attacked her partner while making death threats.
Kepner's ex shared her statement with Daily Mail, claiming that despite informing Chief Crowley about video evidence of the threats in 2022, plans for Kepner's promotion continued. The situation changed only after local journalist Daniel Guss exposed the allegations on his blog in March 2023.
Both women filed restraining orders against each other, with Kepner denying all allegations and claiming her ex-girlfriend was the aggressor. She accused her former partner of harassment, car tracking, and unauthorized access to her iCloud account.
Department Leadership Faces Scrutiny Over Handling of Case
The LAFD initially denied knowledge of the domestic violence claims when contacted by journalist Daniel Guss. Hours later, they revised their statement, acknowledging an investigation had taken place but claiming the allegations were unsubstantiated.
A memo dated January 5, 2022, showed Chief Crowley had announced Kepner's promotion to commander of one of four LAFD bureaus. However, this promotion was allegedly rescinded after the abuse claims became public through Guss's blog.
Kepner's ex claimed the investigation was compromised because Kepner herself oversees the department's Professional Standards Bureau, which handles internal affairs investigations. She refused to cooperate with the investigation, arguing that it should have been conducted by an independent third party.
Competing Claims and Legal Resolutions Surface
Kepner's attorney, John Fowler, maintains that his client has been subjected to false allegations and harassment. He emphasized that she was cleared through multiple investigations, including those conducted by police, the fire department, and the District Attorney's office.
According to Kepner, her ex-girlfriend orchestrated a campaign to damage her career after their relationship ended. The assistant chief earned over $500,000 in 2023 and continues to serve as commander of the department's Emergency Operations Center.
A judge dismissed both women's restraining order requests after a hearing on February 4, 2022, ruling that insufficient evidence existed to support the claims. The Los Angeles Police Department investigated the case and referred it to the district attorney, who declined to file charges.
Breaking Down Complex Personnel Matter
Assistant Chief Kristina Kepner remains at the center of controversy as domestic violence allegations from 2021 resurface amid scrutiny of LAFD leadership. While her ex-girlfriend claims video evidence supports accusations of violent behavior and death threats, Kepner and department officials maintain the allegations were thoroughly investigated and found to be unsubstantiated. The case highlights questions about internal investigation procedures and promotional decisions within the Los Angeles Fire Department.
