McAllen fired clerk who didn’t report minor car accident

McALLEN â€" McAllen fired a Fire Department clerk on July 14 after the man confessed that he’d failed to report a minor auto accident.

Fire Chief Rogelio Rubio fired Daniel Lara, a 50-year-old senior administrative clerk who’d spent almost nine years with the department, for failing to report the minor accident and lying during an internal investigation.

The Monitor requested Lara’s termination paperwork on July 20, but McAllen appealed the request to the Texas Attorney General’s Office. State lawyers determined the documents should be available to the public, and McAllen released them Wednesday.

While driving a department vehicle five months earlier, Lara brushed a rock and caused minor damage to the truck. Lara said he forgot to report the damage, but came forward after department brass began investigating.

“Mr. Lara, I sincerely appreciate the fact that you have stepped forward and accepted responsibility for your actions,” Rubio wrote in Lara’s termination letter. “This displays an earnest effort on your part to correct what is obviously a major error in judgment.”

Lara said he felt guilty and confessed, hoping for a second chance.

“I didn't want someone else to get blamed for it,” Lara said. After losing his job, Lara said he’s been unable to find work. With few places willing to hire a 50-year-old man, Lara said he’s taken odd jobs and temp work to support his wife and son.

“With the help of my God, we strive, and we continue,” Lara said. “And we don't give up, and we just keep going.”

Reached Thursday, Rubio referred a request for comment to the City Attorney’s Office.

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Dave Hendricks covers McAllen and general assignments for The Monitor. He can be reached at (956) 683-4452.