In the clip, humorously titled 'college coach shooting his shot', Thomas laughed and said, "We'll let everyone figure that out for themselves who it was."
The Palisades Fire, now the most destructive wildfire in California's history, has already consumed 26,000 acres, including some of the priciest properties in the nation.
The investigation also noted that the response to the second fire was slower, allowing it to rapidly evolve into one of California's most destructive wildfires.
Adding to the financial strain, unexpected payouts from personal injury lawsuit judgments against the city pushed Los Angeles close to a financial breaking point.