FireAid Lawyers Up as DOJ, Congressional Investigations Loom; Gavin Newsom’s Office Denies Connection to Controversial Grant

FireAid, the high-profile wildfire relief charity behind Los Angeles’ major benefit concert in January, is now engaging heavyweight legal counsel from Latham & Watkins amid mounting scrutiny over the $100 million raised in donations.

The decision comes at a crucial time as criticism from lawmakers, the public, and even President Trump has brought attention to the funds distribution. Makan Delrahim, a Latham & Watkins partner and former chief of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Antitrust Division during Trump’s first term, is now leading the legal review on behalf of FireAid.

The main concern is the transparency and distribution process for the large sum raised. Following the benefit, only $75 million has been distributed so far to around 188 non-profits, schools, and local entities. Recipients range from large food banks to charities helping with legal, housing, and community needs. The remaining $25 million is yet to be allocated and may be delayed as the legal review intensifies.

The controversy has only grown as California Rep. Kevin Kiley formally requested a DOJ review, with allegations that the funds were distributed to non-profits “with tenuous connection (at best) to fire relief and recovery.” The Annenberg Foundation, responsible for overseeing the distribution of funds, has asserted in public statements that recipients were vetted and are active in fire recovery. However, community advocates and independent journalists like Sue Pascoe have reported that many victims feel bypassed, with grant distributions not matching initial donor expectations of direct aid.

Further complicating matters are allegations surrounding the California Governor’s Office. Reports surfaced that a shell organization with ties to Governor Gavin Newsom’s office has received a fire grant. The Governor’s office has forcefully denied this, stating: “FireAid isn’t a state organization, and we played no role in this independent charity.”

The confusion arose from public documents that confirm that a non-profit titled ‘California Volunteers Fund,’ which represents itself as independent from the Governor’s Office, did receive funds. CalVolunteers, the state agency itself, was removed from the FireAid website following these revelations. CalVolunteers was created in 2006 by then California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

California Volunteers Fund describes itself as an independent non-profit that enables philanthropy and private sector resources to support several programs across California. While it works closely with California Volunteers, it operates independently and is not a government entity. Meanwhile, CalVolunteers is the state office tasked with organizing and mobilizing volunteering, service, and civic action across the state. It is led by the state’s Chief Service Officer and is part of the Governor’s Office.

FireAid’s organizers have responded by emphasizing their intention for transparency, noting that all grant allocations are subject to an independent audit by KPMG due in December 2025. They’ve reiterated that none of the $100 million from donors was used to cover administrative costs. Questions now swirl about the remaining $25 million and if this scrutiny will impact its distribution.

Update: After publishing, Gov. Newsom’s office reached out to DMN with the following statement: “There is absolutely no connection to our office—the grant mentioned went to California Volunteers Fund, a non-profit independent of the state of California and the Governor’s Office.”

The spokesperson for the Governor’s Office said that the California Volunteers Fund has no connection. Yet visiting the About page for the non-profit highlights the connection in the first sentence. “California Volunteers Fund builds public-private partnerships on behalf of California Volunteers, Office of the Governor.” You can see the screenshot of the About page below.