Freddy Escobar, a 36-year veteran of the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) and president of the United Firefighters of Los Angeles Local 112 (UFLAC), has filed a federal lawsuit against Mayor Karen Bass and the City of Los Angeles.
The lawsuit, filed on Tuesday, accuses Mayor Bass of launching a smear campaign against Escobar after he criticized the city’s lack of resources during the Los Angeles wildfires.
Escobar claims that Mayor Bass and her senior staff directed fire department officials to issue misleading statements to the media, suggesting that he was under scrutiny for overtime abuses. This, according to the lawsuit, was part of a coordinated effort to silence his criticism of the fire department’s budget. The lawsuit describes the alleged actions as a municipal policy decision made by the mayor, not rogue misconduct.
The conflict between Escobar and Bass reportedly intensified following the January 2025 Palisades Fire. Escobar had backed then-Fire Chief Kristin Crowley, who also sued Bass earlier this year, alleging that the mayor sought to avoid accountability by shifting blame. Escobar claims that his refusal to back down from his criticism led to a campaign of retaliation from City Hall.
Escobar further alleges that city officials fabricated a “sham comprehensive review” into his overtime and leaked distorted information to the press. The lawsuit states that his overtime was found to be ordinary and consistent with department policy in a chronically understaffed agency.
In a separate issue, Escobar was suspended from the union in May 2025 over allegations of financial malpractice, which involved spending more than $265,000 without proper receipts. However, these allegations are not mentioned in the lawsuit.
Escobar is seeking damages and a jury trial, accusing the city and its top officials of violating his constitutional rights and causing significant reputational damage, emotional distress, and professional harm. The lawsuit claims that the alleged campaign was intended not only to target Escobar but also to deter other firefighters from speaking out.
Mayor Bass has not responded to requests for comment on the lawsuit.
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