News: LAFD assistant chief and family charged w/ misdemeanors

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

News: LAFD assistant chief and family charged w/ misdemeanors

Assistant fire chief is charged in hit-run
Wife, son also face counts for alleged roles in covering up crash.

SAN PEDRO: A Los Angeles Fire Department assistant chief and his family are facing criminal charges for allegedly trying to cover up a hit-and-run crash in San Pedro.

Assistant Chief Robert Franco's 19-year-old son is accused of causing the Nov. 3 crash. However, Franco and his wife, Gerri Franco, allegedly told police and paramedics that Mrs. Franco was behind the wheel.

In a misdemeanor complaint filed Friday, Franco, 52, and Mrs. Franco, 48, each were charged with one count of conspiracy, giving false information to a peace officer and obstructing an investigation.

Their son, Richard Franco, was charged with one count of failing to leave information after a crash and one count of conspiracy.

If convicted, Franco and his wife could each face up to two years and six months in jail and $3,000 in fines, according to the City Attorney's Office. Richard Franco faces up to a year in jail and $2,000 in fines.

The family's telephone number is not listed and attempts to reach Franco through the Fire Department were unsuccessful.

Capt. Armando Hogan said the department would have no comment and will take no action pending the outcome of the criminal case.

The Francos are scheduled to appear May 22 for arraignment in Long Beach Superior Court.

At about 2 a.m. Nov. 3, Richard Franco allegedly slammed his black Toyota Tundra truck into two parked cars on 37th Street.

His truck flipped over, according to th

complaint, and he immediately used his cellular telephone to call home.

A few minutes later, his parents arrived, according to prosecutors. Franco stayed behind while Mrs. Franco drove their son away.

Soon, she returned to the scene and picked up her husband and they left, prosecutors said.

However, they returned minutes later and told officers and paramedics that Mrs. Franco was driving the truck.

"Their son was not at the scene, and the police were initially unaware of his involvement in the crash," according to a news release from the City Attorney's Office. "During the course of the investigation, neighbors who witnessed the accident came forward to advise the police of the actual events of the collision."
Update Source: dailybreeze.com - Link

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Assistant Fire Chief Allegedly Tried To Cover Up Hit-Run

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- A Los Angeles fire assistant chief and his family have been charged with trying to cover up a hit-and-run crash in San Pedro.

Robert Franco, his wife Gerri and their 19-year-old son Richard are charged with misdemeanors, including conspiracy, stemming from the November crash.

The teenager allegedly hit two parked cars and flipped his vehicle. Prosecutors say the teen immediately called his mother and his parents arrived moments later.

Investigators say the 48-year-old woman then drove her son away from the crash scene and 52-year-old Robert Franco stayed behind, telling police and paramedics his wife was behind the wheel at the time of the crash.
Source article: CBS 8 - Link

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Tuesday, May 6, 2008