Two Los Angeles firefighters and union officials were involved in an altercation at their union’s headquarters on Friday, resulting in police notification and a pending internal investigation.
Jason Powell, treasurer of the United Firefighters of Los Angeles City, alleged that former union president Freddy Escobar, who arrived at a union board meeting while on duty, struck him in the groin after the meeting concluded. Powell reported the incident to the Los Angeles Police Department and indicated plans to seek medical attention. According to Powell, the confrontation began with verbal exchanges following a meeting where the board approved an additional $3 million expenditure to support Measure FD, a half-cent sales tax measure on the November ballot. Powell stated that Escobar criticized some board members as incompetent and told him to stop working overtime shifts, a practice that allows union officers to earn additional pay on top of their stipends. Powell responded by telling Escobar to shave his mustache and leave the building before he alleges Escobar struck him.
Escobar denied the accusation of physical assault, describing the incident as a verbal confrontation without any physical altercation. When asked about the punch, Escobar said, “Not my style.” His attorney, Delia Ibarra, sent a letter to Powell demanding he cease repeating the allegation and withdraw the complaint, asserting that the claims were fabricated attempts to damage Escobar’s reputation and jeopardize his employment and union standing.
Los Angeles police responded shortly after 11 a.m. to a radio call reporting a battery incident near 1500 Beverly Boulevard. Officer Alondra Garcia confirmed police were dispatched but did not provide further details.
The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) referred the matter to its Professional Standards Division for an internal probe. Department spokesperson Stephanie Bishop emphasized that such incidents are taken seriously and will be handled through established investigative procedures.
Union president Doug Coates declined to comment, citing the ongoing investigation and stating he did not witness the incident.
The dispute follows a history of tensions within the union leadership. Last year, Escobar and two other leaders were suspended after Powell raised concerns regarding irregularities in financial record keeping. An inquiry by the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), the parent body of the local union, uncovered $800,000 in credit card expenditures lacking proper documentation. Following an internal trial, some charges, including failure to provide accurate financial accounts and conduct detrimental to the IAFF, were upheld against Escobar, while more severe allegations like negligence and incompetence were dismissed.
The conflict highlights ongoing divisions within the union as it prepares to ramp up campaign spending ahead of a high-profile ballot measure aimed at securing additional funding for fire services.