Fred Mathis News Today

A Times investigation has found the Los Angeles Fire Department almost never terminates firefighters, even those who have committed crimes or other types of egregious wrongdoing.

Results of an inquiry into a hit-and-run crash by an LAFD assistant chief show how discipline of any kind in the agency is uncommon — especially, critics say, for chief officers.

The LAFD and Mayor Eric Garcetti's office refused to release the investigative report and other records on Chief Deputy Fred Mathis, who retired with no discipline and a $1.4-million payout.

The LAFD and Mayor Eric Garcetti's office refused to release the investigative report and other records on Chief Deputy Fred Mathis, who retired with no discipline and a $1.4-million payout.

An investigation revealed that his timekeeping record was updated four days later to indicate he took a sick day.

An outside investigation found that then-Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Deputy Fred Mathis was likely intoxicated during the Palisades fire in May 2021 but cleared him of any wrongdoing.

An investigation revealed that his timekeeping record was updated four days later to indicate he took a sick day.

An investigation revealed that his timekeeping record was updated four days later to indicate he took a sick day.

An investigation revealed that his timekeeping record was updated four days later to indicate he took a sick day.

An investigation revealed that his timekeeping record was updated four days later to indicate he took a sick day.