Los Angeles County has agreed to a massive $4 billion settlement to address over 6,800 sexual abuse claims at juvenile facilities and foster care, a decision that holds historic significance given its financial and symbolic weight. The settlement, covering allegations as far back as the 1980s, marks a major acknowledgment by the county of the suffering endured by victims at institutions such as the now-closed MacLaren Children's Center in El Monte, ABC7 reported.
The approval by the county Board of Supervisors was unanimous, recognizing the pain caused and the need to systematically reform to prevent future abuse. The settlement will notably impact the county's budget, necessitating substantial payments extending through 2050, NBC Los Angeles detailed. The financial aftermath has already sparked a response from the workforce, with a 48-hour strike over contract negotiations further stressing the county's fiscal capabilities.
County officials, deeply apologetic for the past wrongs, have placed emphasis on both compensation for survivors and prevention of future incidents. County CEO Fesia Davenport expressed a heartfelt apology, saying, "On behalf of the county, I apologize wholeheartedly to everyone who was harmed by these reprehensible acts," as quoted by ABC7. She also noted social media calls for more victims to come forward, hinting at the potential ripple effects of this settlement on similar cases statewide.
The settlement was facilitated under the legal framework of California State Assembly Bill 218, enacted in 2019 to extend the window for sexual misconduct claims involving minors. "Today's resolution for approximately 7,000 people was made possible due to the bravery of the survivors, the perseverance of counsel, and the willingness of the County of Los Angeles to fully confront its problem head-on and help the generations of children it harmed find closure," Adam Slater, founding and managing partner of Slater Slater Schulman, told CBS Los Angeles. Despite the monumental settlement, county supervisors and claimant attorneys hope the actions will adequately to start begin a process of healing and systemic change.
This multi-billion-dollar settlement, financed by reserve funds, budget cuts, and bonds, represents just one part of a broader slew of financial challenges, including wildfire costs and potential federal funding cuts. Further exacerbating the situation is the discontent among county unions over the offered 0% increase in cost of living during recent contract negotiations, as reported by NBC Los Angeles.
