A former Los Angeles firefighter’s union treasurer is currently under investigation for a questionable car purchase that has raised eyebrows and sparked controversy. Domingo Albarran Jr., a former captain in the Los Angeles Fire Department who served as the treasurer of the United Firefighters of Los Angeles City, is at the center of the storm.
According to sources familiar with the transactions, Albarran allegedly bought a union car at a discounted price and then misrepresented the sale price to the state to avoid paying taxes. The sources revealed that Albarran reported to the Department of Motor Vehicles that he purchased a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu from the union for a mere $500 in December 2022. However, it is said that Albarran actually paid $4,000 for the vehicle but deliberately underreported the sale price in official documents.
The new treasurer of UFLAC noticed this discrepancy and demanded that Albarran return the car to the union. It was also revealed that Albarran had inflated the vehicle’s mileage when obtaining an estimate from Kelley Blue Book. A spokesperson from Kelley Blue Book mentioned that a 2017 Malibu would have likely been worth more than $10,000 at the time of the sale, casting further doubt on Albarran’s actions.
When questioned about the allegations, Albarran admitted to underreporting the sale price to the DMV to avoid taxes. He claimed that he misread the odometer and mistakenly entered the wrong mileage when obtaining the Kelley Blue Book estimate. Despite these explanations, the controversy surrounding the car purchase remains unresolved.
Albarran’s case is one of several incidents involving financial improprieties within the labor organization. Another former official of the union, Adam Walker, has also come under scrutiny for allegedly misusing funds from the union’s charity for personal expenses. These allegations have raised concerns about the financial management within the organization and have prompted investigations by the International Association of Fire Fighters.
The IAFF has suspended Walker from his union leadership post and accused him of improperly depositing charity funds into personal accounts. Walker, however, maintains that the deposits were reimbursements for legitimate expenses related to fundraising events for disabled firefighters. The controversy surrounding these financial transactions has cast a shadow over the integrity of the union and its leadership.
The issues surrounding Albarran’s car purchase and Walker’s financial dealings have triggered a broader examination of UFLAC’s finances by the IAFF. The organization is reportedly looking into the use of union credit cards by officers and other financial practices within the union. These investigations have put a spotlight on the financial transparency and accountability of the union, raising questions about its governance and oversight mechanisms.
As the investigations unfold, the future of UFLAC and its leadership remains uncertain. The allegations of financial improprieties and questionable transactions have tarnished the reputation of the organization and its officials. The revelations of misconduct and mismanagement have shaken the trust and confidence of union members and the public alike, highlighting the need for greater accountability and transparency within the organization.
In the midst of these controversies, the union’s role as a political force in Los Angeles has also come under scrutiny. Its endorsements and financial contributions to political campaigns have been called into question, raising concerns about the influence of the union in local politics. The fallout from these scandals has cast a shadow over the union’s reputation and credibility, prompting calls for reform and accountability.
As the investigations continue and the allegations unfold, the future of UFLAC hangs in the balance. The revelations of financial improprieties and questionable transactions have rocked the organization to its core, prompting soul-searching and calls for reform. The need for greater transparency, accountability, and integrity within the union has never been more urgent, as the fallout from these scandals continues to reverberate throughout the organization and the firefighting community.
