TOPSHOT - A firefighter monitors the spread of the Auto Fire in Oxnard, North West of Los Angeles, California, on January 13, 2025. US officials warned "dangerous and strong" winds were set to push deadly wildfires further through Los Angeles residential areas January 12 as firefighters struggled to make progress against the flames. At least 24 people have been confirmed dead from blazes that have ripped through the city, reducing whole neighborhoods to ashes and leaving thousands without homes. (Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT / AFP) (Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT/AFP via Getty Images)
Los Angeles, California – Top union leaders representing over 3,600 Los Angeles firefighters have been suspended following a bombshell audit that revealed $800,000 in unaccounted credit card spending — a staggering breach of trust that’s mind-boggling and intolerable.
The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), the national organization overseeing local firefighter unions, issued a letter Monday announcing the suspension of United Firefighters of Los Angeles City (UFLAC) President Freddy Escobar and several other union officials. The IAFF said it will place the local under conservatorship to regain control of its finances.
The audit, launched after an officer raised red flags in October 2024, uncovered widespread financial mismanagement. Escobar allegedly racked up more than $300,000 in credit card charges between July 2018 and November 2024 without providing documentation or receipts to justify the expenses. In 2024 alone, Escobar spent over $70,000 with zero receipts submitted.
“This level of financial malpractice is mind-boggling and absolutely cannot be tolerated,” said IAFF President Edward Kelly in the letter to members. “The financial malpractice by the leadership of UFLAC has dealt serious harm to the membership.”
But wait, there’s more. Results of an investigation show that former union secretary Adam Walker transferred over $80,000 from UFLAC’s affiliated nonprofit fund directly into his personal bank accounts — money meant to support firefighters and their families. Investigators say Walker used those funds to pay off mortgage and personal loans, and even withdrew money from ATMs at casinos. He was suspended for “breach of fiduciary responsibility and misappropriation of funds.”
In a statement posted on his Instagram account, Freddy Escobar denied any wrongdoing and said the accusations were “false” and politically motivated.
“I’m going to defend myself because I have nothing to hide and I have always worked for the benefit of our membership,” Escobar wrote. “These false allegations are disgusting and politically motivated by those who want to attack the union and me personally. I’m going to clear my name.”
The audit also identified former treasurer Domingo Albarran as another key figure in the scandal. He allegedly spent over $300,000 in union funds over five years with no supporting documentation. Meanwhile, Vice Presidents Chuong Ho and Doug Coates were suspended for failing to ensure proper financial oversight during their tenures.
Auditors had warned UFLAC leadership in March 2024 of “significant deficiencies” in financial controls, but the situation only worsened.
The IAFF’s decision to impose conservatorship is rare and reflects the gravity of the violations. It’s unclear if further legal or criminal proceedings will occur, but union members and the public alike are demanding transparency and accountability.
