With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today during our fall member drive.
President of LA's firefighter union suspended over financial audit findings
Freddy Escobar, president of UFLAC, the union representing L.A. City Firefighters.
(
UFLAC Facebook video.
)
Topline:
The president of United Firefighters of Los Angeles City and two other union officials have been suspended from their positions by the union’s parent organization for alleged fiscal malfeasance, according to the Associated Press.
Backstory: The suspensions by the International Association of Firefighters come after an audit found more than $800,000 in credit card spending that could not be accounted for, according to the AP. Union President Freddy Escobar and two others allegedly made thousands of credit card transactions with no receipts or other documentation to justify them.
Response from union head: Escobar denied the allegations in a post on Instagram. “These false allegations are disgusting and politically motivated by those who want to attack the union and me personally and I am going to clear my name,” he wrote.
Support for LAist comes from
The context: Escobar is a prominent figure in local politics — albeit behind the scenes. His union has spent millions of dollars on mayoral and City Council campaigns. Escobar has also been a critic of Mayor Karen Bass over her funding of the Fire Department in the leadup to the Palisades Fire in January. The union represents more than 3,600 members of the Los Angeles Fire Department.
Possible conservatorship: In a letter to the union, the association’s president said it would be placing the union under a conservatorship to properly manage its finances, the Associated Press reported.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Flauta, taquito, tacos dorados? Whatever they’re called, they’re golden, crispy and delicious. -
If California redistricts, the conservative beach town that banned LGBTQ Pride flags on city property would get a gay, progressive Democrat in Congress. -
Most survivors of January's fires face a massive gap in the money they need to rebuild, and funding to help is moving too slowly or nonexistent. -
Kevin Lacy has an obsession with documenting California’s forgotten and decaying places. -
Restaurants share resources in the food hall in West Adams as Los Angeles reckons with increasing restaurant closures. -
It will be the second national day of protest against President Donald Trump.
Best of LAist