Los Angeles, Ca
Wealthy L.A. investor blasted for seeking paid firefighters: ‘Will pay any amount’
A 40-year-old Los Angeles millionaire, well known for his success in real estate, has deleted his X account, after facing intense criticism for pleading on the social media platform for private firefighters to save his Pacific Palisades home on Tuesday.
Keith Wasserman, whose X bio used to read “entrepreneur, investor, contrarian, compounding,” is a partner and co-founder at Gelt Venture Partners, described on his Linkedin page as “Multifamily Real Estate Investments with High Net Worth Individuals and Families.”
“Does anyone have access to private firefighters to protect our home in Pacific Palisades?” the 40-year-old posted on X Jan. 7 as the fire raged. “Need to act fast here. All neighbors houses burning. Will pay any amount. Thank you.”
The Palisades Fire, which was first reported at around 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, quickly spread through residential and commercial districts, prompting immediate evacuations for tens of thousands of people and has since destroyed thousands of structures across more than 19,000 acres.
The wildfire is believed to be the most destructive natural disaster in L.A. history, with the damage estimated to be somewhere in the $50 billion range.
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A firefighter battles the Palisades Fire as it burns a structure in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope) -
Sky5 view of devastation from the Palisades Fire in Los Angeles, California on Jan. 9, 2025. (KTLA) -
A structure is burned by the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) -
The devastation from the Palisades Fire is seen from the air in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Wasserman, who, according to the Daily Beast, had previously posted about his disdain for paying property taxes, writing “real estate ballers don’t pay any,“ was immediately “dragged” by other X users.
“Congratulations on no longer having to pay property taxes,” one user wrote, tagging Wasserman whose home reportedly burned down in the fire.
“You really can’t make this stuff up,” another X user said. “The rich guy Keith Wasserman bragged about not paying taxes & now wants private firefighters to protect his home while neighbors’ home burn.”
Not all the comments were entirely negative, however. Some users came to the real-estate investor’s defense.
“It’s deeply disheartening to witness the backlash against Keith Wasserman,” a user from San Diego wrote. “Keith was fighting to save his home and the cherished memories of his family. Almost anyone in his position, faced with flames at their doorstep, would have acted similarly.”
“If you’re sitting in the comfort of your home judging Keith Wasserman for trying to save his home – maybe realize that you are lucky and be thankful. We all need to be more gentle,” yet another X user posted.
It’s not entirely uncommon for those with the financials means, like Kim Kardashian and Kanye West in 2018, to get for-hire firefighters, though they were also heavily criticized at the time as well.
It’s unclear if Wasserman has any intentions of returning to X, but his account no longer existed by Jan. 9.
Six suspects believed to be linked to a professional South American burglary crew were arrested by Irvine police officers. The suspects were identified as: Over the past year, police said the crew is believed to be responsible for more than 10 residential burglaries throughout the city of Irvine. “Through extensive surveillance and evidence gathering, detectives […]
Warning: The video included in this story contains graphic content
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has released officer-worn body camera footage of a deputy shooting a man who allegedly charged them with a knife in the Azusa area on May 20.
The shooting happened after officers responded to reports of an attempted suicide at a home on the 5500 block of North Orangecrest Avenue in an unincorporated area near Azusa around 3:30 p.m.
When deputies arrived, the man, identified as 38-year-old Dilen Flamino, allegedly charged at the nearest deputy with a 3-inch knife. Deputies were armed with a taser and 12-gauge beanbag gun, but were down the street from the deputy that Flamino is seen rushing toward in the video. The deputy called for his partners to bring in the beanbag gun, but resorted to firing his handgun at Flamino during the sudden attack.
“He’s coming up guys,” the deputy is heard saying in the video before opening fire. “Bring the stunbag! Stunbag!”
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The knife seized at the scene of the shooting. (LASD)
Video of the shooting shows the man writhing on the ground and tossing the knife away at the request of deputies after he was shot.
Flamino was taken to the hospital in critical condition. He was treated for his injuries. No deputies were injured in the shooting. The incident remains under investigation.
If you or anyone you know is struggling with mental health or thoughts of suicide, you can seek immediate professional help by calling or texting the nationwide mental health crisis hotline at 988 on your phone. Help is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week in English and Spanish.
About 20 people were detained Saturday during a large police response in Los Angeles’ Koreatown after authorities received reports of an armed man threatening people, officials said. Officers responded to the 3400 block of West 8th Street near Kingsley Drive on reports of an assault with a deadly weapon, according to the Los Angeles Police […]
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