Los Angeles county has agreed to pay $828 million to settle more than 400 sexual abuse claims against county employees. This follows a historic $4 billion settlement approved in April, the largest of its kind in U.S. history. The April settlement involved roughly 11,000 claimants who alleged sexual abuse in juvenile facilities in Los Angeles over several decades. The new agreement is pending approval from the county board of supervisors and the county claims board.
“Our settlements aim to compensate victims while safeguarding taxpayers from fraud,” said Kathryn Barger, chair of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. County officials said about 2,500 cases remain unresolved, and the number is expected to grow. The settlements have worsened financial pressures, especially after the wildfires that hit the region earlier this year. Authorities stressed that each claim will be carefully reviewed. Fraudulent claims will not receive any payment. Investigations have revealed that some plaintiffs were allegedly paid to file lawsuits. In the first $4 billion settlement, nine plaintiffs admitted to being compensated, and four acknowledged making false claims.
The lawsuits cover allegations of sexual abuse and mistreatment in foster care and juvenile detention dating back to 1959. California law changes in 2020 allowed victims to bring lawsuits for three years by suspending the statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse. Officials said their ability to verify claims is limited due to missing records, the sheer volume of cases, and legal restrictions on discovery.
Under the $4 billion settlement, plaintiffs received between $100,000 and $3 million. The new $828 million agreement will similarly base awards on the severity of abuse alleged. Claims linked to the Downtown LA Law Group (DTLA) from the previous settlement will undergo extra scrutiny due to potential fraudulent activity. Investigations found that some plaintiffs were approached outside a county social services office and offered $50 to $200 to file claims with DTLA. California law prohibits non-attorneys from soliciting clients for lawsuits. DTLA denied any wrongdoing, stating it only accepted a fraction of the 13,000 inquiries it received and does not pay clients to file claims.
The county may require additional interviews or proof from plaintiffs suspected of fraud. Attorneys accused of paying for claims could face disciplinary action by the state bar. Officials also introduced new safeguards, including a hotline for reporting child sexual abuse allegations against county employees, expected by year’s end. County leaders emphasized the need to balance obligations to past victims with protecting public services. Joe Nicchitta, acting county chief executive, warned that unchecked financial burdens could weaken essential social programs that communities rely on.
The $4 billion settlement surpassed the 2022 $2.6 billion payout by the Boy Scouts of America, setting a new record for sexual abuse settlements in the United States. Los Angeles continues to face legal and financial challenges as it resolves these historic claims, striving to ensure justice for survivors while maintaining fiscal stability.
