Judge Upheld LAFD Reprimand in Vaccination Case
A Los Angeles Superior Court judge ruled that the department acted within its discretion regarding a 700-day suspension.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in People
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Judge Tiana J. Murillo declined to set aside a formal reprimand against Los Angeles Fire Department firefighter Adin Waldrep. The ruling addresses an operational dispute stemming from a 700-day suspension related to a refused coronavirus vaccination.
Why it matters
The ruling clarifies that department leadership maintains discretion in disciplinary matters, even when comparisons to other personnel cases are introduced as a defense. For local operators, the decision highlights the court's view on the limits of internal performance benchmarking when challenging disciplinary outcomes.
Adin Waldrep, 39, served a suspension lasting approximately 700 days before the Los Angeles Fire Department accepted an exemption request and returned him to active duty. The court ruling affirms the department's disciplinary authority in this instance.
The players
Adin Waldrep
A 39-year-old firefighter who has been with the Los Angeles Fire Department since 2006.
Tiana J. Murillo
A judge in the Los Angeles Superior Court who presided over the petition regarding internal fire department discipline.
Los Angeles Fire Department
The municipal agency responsible for fire protection and emergency medical services in Los Angeles.
Jaime Moore
The current chief of the Los Angeles Fire Department, who took office in November 2025.
Kristin Crowley
The former chief of the Los Angeles Fire Department who served until her departure in February 2025.
The details
Judge Tiana J. Murillo determined that the department's reprimand did not constitute an abuse of discretion. The ruling emphasized that evidence regarding penalties issued to other employees is irrelevant to the specific misconduct findings in Waldrep's case. While Waldrep sought to have the reprimand set aside, the court maintained the department's authority to impose administrative measures following his lengthy suspension.
Timeline
January 2006: Adin Waldrep joined the Los Angeles Fire Department.
February 2025: Mayor Karen Bass fired Kristin Crowley as LAFD chief.
November 2025: Jaime Moore became the current LAFD chief.
October 1, 2026: Judge Tiana J. Murillo ruled on the petition.
Market Landscape
This decision follows a prior arbitration that entitled firefighters on unpaid leave to back pay. The current ruling serves as a notable distinction, signaling that while financial restitution may be mandated, the underlying disciplinary reprimands remain subject to department discretion.
Business owners should recognize that courts generally defer to internal disciplinary procedures unless evidence of an abuse of discretion is clear. Management must ensure that performance or disciplinary decisions are well-documented to withstand legal scrutiny when challenged.
The takeaway
The court's ruling underscores that internal administrative actions are highly resistant to judicial overturning without evidence of procedural abuse. Operators should ensure their disciplinary records are consistent and thorough to mitigate potential legal exposure when managing employee misconduct.
Further reading
For more on personnel management and organizational shifts, visit the People section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by My News LA.
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