The embattled president of the United Firefighters of Los Angeles City (UFLAC), Freddy Escobar, ended his week fighting for transparency and to clear his name after a turbulent start marked by suspension and allegations of misusing over a quarter-million dollars in union funds.
Earlier this week, the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), the national governing body of firefighter unions, took the unusual step of placing UFLAC under trusteeship and suspending Escobar. The IAFF alleges that Escobar failed to properly document over $265,000 in union expenditures, raising red flags over potential financial mismanagement.
A Struggle to Defend Himself
On Friday, Escobar held a press conference to publicly reject the accusations. He asserted that the spending in question was legitimate and that he had evidence stored on a thumb drive to prove it.
“I have the receipts,” Escobar said. “I brought them with me, ready to be handed in.”
However, when he attempted to enter the UFLAC offices to deliver the documentation, he was initially denied entry—a moment that became visibly emotional for him.
“I don’t know what to say,” Escobar told reporters outside the locked office. “An organization I would have died for is not giving me an opportunity to present to them what they have been looking for.”
Eventually, Escobar was permitted inside the building but was asked to surrender his union-issued phone and was given limited access. He later returned to the parking lot, where he reportedly waited for nearly an hour before leaving the premises.
Conflicting Narratives on Due Process
Escobar maintains that he was never informed of an audit and was not interviewed as part of any investigation. He insists the entire ordeal has been a surprise and claims he was given no formal opportunity to explain or defend his financial actions before the IAFF made its decision.
But the IAFF tells a different story.
“Mr. Escobar was repeatedly urged—in written communication and face-to-face meetings—to fulfill his fiduciary duties and submit proper documentation for all expenditures,” said IAFF spokesperson Ryan Heffernan in a statement to Eyewitness News.
This fundamental disagreement over the process and communication underscores a broader breakdown in trust between the local and national leadership of the firefighter union.
What’s Next for Escobar?
Although removed from his union leadership role, Escobar is still an active-duty firefighter with the Los Angeles Fire Department. He confirmed that he will return next week to his position as a full-time fire captain at Fire Station Number 2 in Boyle Heights.
The IAFF has not commented on whether further action will be taken or if criminal referrals are under consideration, but the takeover of UFLAC suggests a serious internal reckoning is underway.
Why This Matters
The situation raises critical questions about financial transparency in public sector unions, internal checks and balances, and due process for union leaders under investigation. For LAFD members and Los Angeles residents alike, the story could have ripple effects on union operations, morale within the fire department, and broader labor relations.
Escobar’s case also spotlights the tension between local autonomy and national oversight within powerful public unions, particularly when it comes to accusations of financial impropriety.
Closing Summary
As Freddy Escobar transitions from union president back to firefighter, his case remains a cautionary tale for union governance and internal accountability. With both sides presenting contrasting versions of events, the full truth may only emerge through continued investigation, and Escobar insists he will continue fighting to clear his name.
