Assistant fire chief is charged in hit-run

LAFD member wrote:

LA Fireman from Yorba Linda wrote:
“I have no aspirations to run for office or become a Chief Officer on the F.D. for the same reason. There is no honor in it.”
Honor is “ The maturity and the inner strength to do the right thing”
This LA FIREMAN knows that the leadership of the LAFD in the past has asked Chief Officers to sell their souls.. The best do not rise to the top! They refuse to step beyond Captain, the organization has been hurt by this kind of management.(Thank you Rueda )
Most members with my tenure know who the bad apples are. If la city fire had a blog like this for its membership we could get together and produce the evidence to remove the bad apples from the organization. I would come out of the closet to orchestrate the investigation, what fun that would be!
Just think of how the other Chief Officers who were going to turn arrogant and become rotten would react ….they might even become leaders again…..someone just like the young LA FIREMEN would like to aspire to instead of hide from……..what a concept….LOL

i guess you were not at station 5 this open house. we had a great time and there was honor everywhere.

LAFD member wrote:

Parent,…..”So the real question is why an LAFD Assistant Chief Officer would take such a risk to cover up for this accident?”
The answer to your question is as follows:
I have been a member of the LAFD for 28 plus years. Chief Officers are experts at lying by omission, misrepresenting the facts & putting spin a situation. As an organization my generation has “failed” we couldn’t handle the responsibly that comes with power. We became arrogant and overstepped our authority time after time. This was expected by our Superiors.( Deputy Chiefs Rueda & Fox) I know this because I witnessed it first hand and have the docs to prove it, lying under oath was expected, especially by Chief Officers.
Franco’s only fault is that he forgot he wasn’t at work.

You must be a member of the Los Alamos FD and not the Los Angeles Fire Department, because your narrative indicates that you are clueless about our organization.If you were a Chief Offcier with the LAFD, you would have the integrity to list your name or is is just plane IDIOT.

SP Mom wrote:

To "A San Pedro Resident": We are talking about parked cars here. I am not condoning what was done, just suggesting that it would be emotionally mature of ourselves to insert our minds into their position and understand firsthand the conflicted emotions the parents were surely going through. I personally have had my car swiped without nary a note, and have also watched others in parking lots and San Pedro streets damage nearby vehicles and proceed to drive away without a trace. At least in this instance someone from the family stood by to take responsibility -- more than is usually done in L.A., I'm sad to say. I don't doubt the Francos regret their decision and wish they could do it over another way, but let's put this in perspective. I sense a mob mentality here, especially along racial lines which is completely unwarranted and, in fact, highly offensive.

Um, how could they not have taken responsiblilty? The car was flipped over. I'm sure that it they could, they or their son would have driven away. Someone in the family had to take responsibility for the vehicle on its backside in the middle of the street. The police would have traced it to them in a few minutes. I know they wanted to protect their son, but from what...responsibility? What kind of scumbag son lets his parents risk their financial stability so that he can avoid punishment. Why did the parents do this - if it was just an accident, no charges would have been filed. The son must have been drinking, uninsured or unlicensed. I don't think the parents deserve jail time, but the father has to be fired from his job or demoted to the lowest level. How can you have a person in a position of authority who has lied to police officials. Plus, this wasn't a split second mistake - the parents, obviously, had more than 15-20 minutes to think about this plan.

THZ wrote:

It is so sad to see so many judgmental people chiming in with their (often illiterate) theories and accusations. We have no idea whether alcohol was involved or what was going through the parents' heads when they made that split-second decision. Certainly their actions were inadvisable and unfortunate, but, as a loving parent and someone who is honest with myself, the first thing I wondered was if I would have been tempted to do the same thing if I were in their shoes. It must be nice to sit so comfortably on your soapbox and know that you would always do the "right" thing, even if it negatively impacts your child (and, yes, they are always your children, no matter how old they are). Perhaps if some of you angry, aggressive (and, seemingly, at least a few racist) people look in your hearts, you will find a way to sympathize with this family’s plight, rather than lynching them without even having the benefit of knowing all of the facts.

Al the facts you need are there. The parents broke the law. They tried to obstruct justice. What more do you need? This law today, what law tomorrow?

COME ON PEOPLE wrote:

Seriously, put yourselves in their position! What would you do? You may argue that a situation like this clearly lacks moral standards in trying to cover it up; however, any parent with enough decency would do the same thing. You argue that this teaches the kid bad morals; however, if you were in their position, I would put money on it that you would do the same thing. You argue the kid isn't learning his lesson?!? How do you think he feels knowing he's put his job and his father's job on the line. He's gotta feel like shit. People have accidents every day. Kids got his whole life ahead of him and his parents were only pertaining to their parental duties by trying to cover it up. I mean it when i say put yourselves in their perspective!!!!!!!!!!

No "come on people" I don't break the law to protect my children. I started many years earlier teaching them the difference between RIGHT and WRONG. Now their on their own and they know it. I give them love I don't break the law for them.

Current Member wrote:

<quoted text>
"I am so sorry that your property has been damaged. I too work for the LAFD, and now despise this man that has cast such a negative light on our organization. Please write Chief Barry, the Fire Commission, the Mayor and put the pressure on them to do the right thing....terminate him. He ability to lead men and women into dangerous situations has been decimated. I personally don't want to see him and certainly would not take any orders from a person with this huge lack of integrity! You son summed it up well, "Fire Liar".

I'm not sure this should cast any bad light on the rest of the fire dept. or did I miss where the whole dept. rushed to the scene of the accident and helped to try and cover it up.

abacrombee in crestline wrote:

<quoted text>
I'm not sure this should cast any bad light on the rest of the fire dept. or did I miss where the whole dept. rushed to the scene of the accident and helped to try and cover it up.

The other fire personell as well as police officers at the scene weren't willing to investigate the suspicious circumstances. When the first responders got there, no one was on the scene! Then Mrs. Franco walked up unscrated and got in the ambulance. Not to mention that it was obvious that a stop sign had been run at a high rate of speed. The police refused to address any of this at the time. They had to have noticed it didn't add up. Were they under pressure not to question the assistant chief? Or is it just standard operating procedure to refuse to take an accident report?

More info about the LAFD here:
http://www.firecareers.com/viewmessages.cfm...

abacrombee in crestline wrote:

<quoted text>
Al the facts you need are there. The parents broke the law. They tried to obstruct justice. What more do you need? This law today, what law tomorrow?

they're not facts, they're allegations -- we're in the u.s.a.

kinda ironic these charges coming from rockard degadillo's office, do you remember the guy? the guy who's wife drove around without insurance or drivers license and an outstanding warrant for nine years?

http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story...

"June 21, 2007 (KABC-TV)(KABC)-- She's been cited for driving without insurance and having a suspended license, admits to having an accident while driving her husband's city-owned vehicle, and published reports claim the city attorney's staff watched her kids"

http://patterico.com/2007/06/20/talking-point...

san_pedro_local wrote:

<quoted text>
they're not facts, they're allegations -- we're in the u.s.a.
kinda ironic these charges coming from rockard degadillo's office, do you remember the guy? the guy who's wife drove around without insurance or drivers license and an outstanding warrant for nine years?
http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story...
"June 21, 2007 (KABC-TV)(KABC)-- She's been cited for driving without insurance and having a suspended license, admits to having an accident while driving her husband's city-owned vehicle, and published reports claim the city attorney's staff watched her kids"
http://patterico.com/2007/06/20/talking-point...

LOL....I told you the rules dont apply to us we are above all of you...how dare you Refer to us as public servants

lafd member wrote:

<quoted text>LOL....I told you the rules dont apply to us we are above all of you...how dare you Refer to us as public servants

Sh*t you are not the only ones getting away with stuff. Look at Ted Kennedy always getting away with sh*t. Doesn't change th fact that he is an A-hole. I have utmost respect for those who put thier lives on the line for the public, but guys like you make it hard for those who absolutely deserve it, from getting.

state RN wrote:

<quoted text> Sh*t you are not the only ones getting away with stuff. Look at Ted Kennedy always getting away with sh*t. Doesn't change th fact that he is an A-hole. I have utmost respect for those who put thier lives on the line for the public, but guys like you make it hard for those who absolutely deserve it, from getting.

is that guy for real???? Thinking he is above us all? OMG he needs a freaking wake up call.

lafd member wrote:

<quoted text>LOL....I told you the rules dont apply to us we are above all of you...how dare you Refer to us as public servants

it gets better...

from Rockard Degadillo, 3 years later when he was finally caught for his lie about his wife's wreck he hid this for 3 years!

Quote from Associated Press:
City attorney comes clean on crash
Delgadillo's wife dented a city-assigned SUV in 2004, he says. Incident surfaced after official called for a stiff punishment of Paris Hilton.
By Kerry Cavanaugh
The Associated Press:
"After ducking questions for more than a week, Los Angeles City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo finally acknowledged Monday that his wife was behind the wheel of his city-assigned SUV and driving with a suspended license when it was damaged in a crash three years ago."

"His voice cracking with emotion, Delgadillo said he made a mistake and should have been more open about the collision and repairs."

"Under city policy, family members of employees are not allowed to drive city-assigned vehicles."

"Delgadillo also admitted he allowed taxpayers to foot the bill for $1,222 in repairs to the SUV after the 2004 incident."
Being San Pedro, as rumors go, it is said the Francos cleared up the fact that their son was driving on the same night with the police and further the next morning, but Rockard Degadillo did not tell you this in the article.

This is another attempt by Rockard to lie/mislead to the citizens of Los Angeles which is why we should all hold off in judging The Francos untill all the facts are presented.

Rockard Degadillo is at it again it seems...

His history of lies, lies, lies:
"In various speeches, campaign ads and written biographies in past years, Los Angeles City Atty. Rocky Delgadillo has said he made it out of his Eastside neighborhood by winning a football scholarship to Harvard University, where he was an Academic All-American before going on to become a professional football player."

"But now, as he runs for attorney general, the time as a pro football player is listed in bio material and speeches as "a brief stint," his standing at Harvard is listed as honorable mention for an All-American award, and he has dropped all claims of getting a football scholarship."

"Last week, Delgadillo acknowledged through a spokesman that he never played in a pro football game and that his Harvard financial aid was not an athletic scholarship, because Ivy League schools do not provide them."

Ref:
http://forums.hannity.com/showthread.php...

Curious and Curious-er wrote:

<quoted text>
is that guy for real???? Thinking he is above us all? OMG he needs a freaking wake up call.

I know. I used to respect all fire fighters now I must say I respect most fire fighters. But I guess the saying is true, there is a bad apple in every bunch.

from, Rockard Delgadillo:

"He wrote a personal check to the city Monday to cover the cost of the repairs."

"Like any husband, I love my family and have tried to keep them out of the public eye," he said. "But as an elected official, I am accountable to the public, and I realize I should have spoken up earlier. That was a mistake."

This way worse than anything he is accusing the Francos of doing!

state RN wrote:

<quoted text> I know. I used to respect all fire fighters now I must say I respect most fire fighters. But I guess the saying is true, there is a bad apple in every bunch.

yes, a few bad apples...or lemons :D

state RN wrote:

<quoted text> I know. I used to respect all fire fighters now I must say I respect most fire fighters. But I guess the saying is true, there is a bad apple in every bunch.

the firemen I know in San Pedro are honorable human beings.

what the public does not see or hear about are the emotional scars related to being a firefighter, for example, failed rescue attempts of children, the pain and suffering of what they see though out their careers.

are they perfect, no, but at least they try their best to help those in need which is more than I can say about the deceitfulness our the City Attorney Rockard Degadillo.

and, why are my posts being removed from this forum? there are at least 3 that have been removed.

san_pedro_local wrote:

<quoted text>
the firemen I know in San Pedro are honorable human beings.
what the public does not see or hear about are the emotional scars related to being a firefighter, for example, failed rescue attempts of children, the pain and suffering of what they see though out their careers.
are they perfect, no, but at least they try their best to help those in need which is more than I can say about the deceitfulness our the City Attorney Rockard Degadillo.
and, why are my posts being removed from this forum? there are at least 3 that have been removed.

This is something I wrote about on a previous post. My friends son died in her back yard. Thier was no saving him, and one of my thoughts was how hard it must have been on those tryig to save Tony's life. My dauhter and her friends went to the fire station and thanked them for thier efforts. She said, she had new respect for you guys, because even if they did not know Tony, they grieved for him.

state RN wrote:

<quoted text> ...even if they did not know Tony, they grieved for him.

sorry to hear of your loss, condolences

state RN wrote:

<quoted text> ...My dauhter and her friends went to the fire station and thanked them for thier efforts. She said, she had new respect for you guys,..

for the record, I am not a fireman ;)