Man Who Solicited Aid for Firefighters’ Group Arrested
A Glendale man has been arrested on suspicion of calling homes in La Canada Flintridge to illegally seek donations for a firefighters’ organization.
Michael William Davis, 45, was arrested by Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies on March 19 on a charge of soliciting a donation without a county permit. Investigators said they have since received several complaints from others who said they gave Davis money to aid firefighters, Deputy Susan Panton said Tuesday.
Davis told investigators that he was working for California Professional Firefighters, a Sacramento-based lobbying organization for firefighters statewide. That organization uses a subcontractor to raise funds by selling advertising, or “sponsorships,” in which individuals and businesses pay $25 to $35 to have their names listed in a magazine or yearbook, said Teresa Ortiz, the group’s director of operations.
Ortiz said the group was trying to determine whether Davis was authorized to raise funds for the organization. Sheriff’s investigators said Davis did not tell donors the money was for advertising.
Davis’ arrest prompted Los Angeles and Orange Counties Firefighters Local 1014, which represents firefighters in La Crescenta and La Canada Flintridge, to urge residents to use caution in giving money to anyone claiming to be raising funds for firefighters.
Davis was released after promising to appear in court on the charge. He could not be reached for comment.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
