Los Angeles Recovery Chief Agrees to Work Without Pay Following Public Outcry

Steve Soboroff and his assistant, initially set to earn $750,000 funded by charities, will now oversee wildfire recovery efforts at no cost.

Steve Soboroff, appointed as Los Angeles' wildfire recovery czar, initially agreed to a $500,000 salary for three months, funded by charitable organizations.
Public backlash from residents, officials, and public figures criticized the compensation as excessive and inappropriate given the community's struggles after the fires.
Mayor Karen Bass reversed the decision, announcing that both Soboroff and his assistant, Randy Johnson, would work for free instead of receiving their planned $750,000 combined compensation.
Soboroff defended his initial salary, citing his extensive expertise, responsibilities, and forfeited consulting income, but ultimately agreed to the revised terms to avoid distractions from recovery efforts.
The controversy raised questions about transparency, including the unnamed charities funding the salaries and the allocation of resources intended for wildfire recovery.