LOS ANGELES (KABC) — The Los Angeles Fire Department has been served a federal grand jury subpoena for text messages and other communications near the area of the Lachman Fire, which reignited into the massive Palisades Fire, sources confirmed to Eyewitness News.
An internal LAFD memo that was circulated on Tuesday stated that the fire department has received a subpoena issued by the Department of Justice in connection with the investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives into the Lachman and Palisades fires.
According to Eyewitness News sources, the memo states that the subpoena seeks any and all communications related to reports of fire, smoke or hot spots between 10 p.m. on New Year's Eve and 10 a.m. on Jan. 7.
The LAFD "is fully cooperating with federal authorities and is committed to transparency throughout this process," the agency said in a statement. "As this is an active federal investigation, we are unable to provide additional details at this time."
Last week, the Los Angeles Times reported on text messages among firefighters who were mopping up the Lachman Fire that warned the battalion chief that remnants of that fire were still smoldering.
Two weeks ago, 29-year-old Jonathan Rinderknecht, who's accused of starting the Lachman Fire, pleaded not guilty in a Los Angeles courtroom.
Rinderknecht, a former resident of Pacific Palisades, was arrested in Florida in October.
He is charged with one count of destruction of property by means of fire, one count of arson affecting property used in interstate commerce and one count of timber set a fire.
If convicted on all charges, Rinderknecht faces up to 45 years in federal prison.
READ MORE | Palisades Fire suspect pleads not guilty during first LA court appearance
In a recent 7 On Your Side Investigation, Eyewitness News spoke with Chief Deputy Joe Everett, who was the Incident Commander for the Palisades Fire. He said to his knowledge, all mop-up procedures for the Lachman Fire were followed and that they are using what they learned to make changes moving forward.
"We're going to use this as a blueprint for change, and we're going to be better," he said.
The U.S. Attorney's Office declined to confirm to Eyewitness News that a subpoena was issued and had no further comment.
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