LAFD Probes Union Chief’s $540K Pay; Parent Union Audit Ongoing

Freddy Escobar, president of the United Firefighters of Los Angeles City (UFLAC), collected about $540,000 in 2022, triggering an internal review by the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) and drawing continued scrutiny from the union’s parent organization.

According to a Los Angeles Times investigation published on April 30, Escobar more than doubled his $184,034 base salary with $240,466 in overtime that year, earning a total of over $424,500 in city pay and benefits. He also received an additional $115,962 union stipend. Records show Escobar worked an average of 48 hours per week on union duties and logged about 30 hours of overtime weekly—approximately 78 hours of work per week.

After inquiries from the Times, the LAFD announced it had launched a “comprehensive review and overhaul” of its accounting and timekeeping processes related to union leave and reimbursement. “The Department has recognized the need for significant improvements,” the agency said in a statement.

Union Audit Expands Beyond Escobar

The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), UFLAC’s parent organization, is conducting a broad audit of the local union’s finances. This includes reviewing use of union credit cards and charitable foundation funds, though the audit is not solely focused on Escobar.

The IAFF previously removed former UFLAC secretary Adam Walker after internal records showed he transferred more than $75,000 from the union’s charitable foundation to personal accounts between December 2022 and January 2024. Walker claimed the funds were reimbursements for golf tournament expenses, but the IAFF found the use of funds improper.

Former treasurer Domingo Albarran Jr. also admitted to underreporting the sale price of a union vehicle to reduce taxes.

Wider Overtime Concerns at LAFD

Escobar’s pay has reignited debate over LAFD’s reliance on overtime. In 2022, LAFD employees earned $225 million in overtime. Escobar logged an average of about nine overtime shifts per month that year, often working 12- to 24-hour shifts in addition to his union duties.

City officials point to staffing shortages, emergency demands, and extreme weather as drivers of high overtime costs. Critics warn that over-reliance on overtime leads to fatigue, burnout, and inefficiencies. “It becomes this deafening cycle. People get tired of working and start getting injured, calling in sick,” said Marc Bashoor, a national fire leadership expert.

Next Steps

The IAFF’s audit of UFLAC is ongoing and could lead to conservatorship measures, including leadership changes if mismanagement is confirmed. Meanwhile, the LA City Council and local auditing agencies have pledged to review LAFD’s financial and staffing practices as part of a broader effort to improve accountability.

Escobar, who has served as UFLAC president since 2018, is currently in his final two-year term. He declined to answer questions from the Times regarding his overtime shifts and emergency assignments.

BY YOONJAE JUNG [jung.yoonjae@koreadaily.com]