Los Angeles County officials have approved an $828 million settlement with 414 claimants who alleged childhood sexual abuse at the hands of county workers, as reported by NBC Los Angeles. This settlement is in addition to a prior $4 billion settlement paid to approximately 11,000 other claimants, with incidents allegedly dating back to 1959. The Los Angeles Board of Supervisors stressed that all claims will be subjected to strict review in light of recent fraud allegations.
AB 218, the legislation that enabled victims to sue for decades-old abuse claims, is now expected to bring financial challenges to the County. The LAist reported that Supervisor Kathryn Barger acknowledged these settlements as unprecedented during her three decades with the county, expressing concern over the long-term impact on the county's capability to serve as a safety net for residents. The funds for these settlements are set to be drawn from a provisional financing uses fund with a first payment due by Dec. 1.
Controversy surrounding these settlements has been fueled by an L.A. Times investigation suggesting that some plaintiffs were paid to join lawsuits. In certain cases, claims were allegedly fabricated. This prompted a response from County Counsel Dawyn R. Harrison, who stated, "The conduct alleged to have occurred by the DTLA firm is absolutely outrageous and must be investigated by the appropriate authorities," according to a statement obtained by NBC Los Angeles. Harrison emphasized the need for legislative action to prevent similar situations in the future.
While the financial implications of the settlements are significant, officials are also concerned about measures to prevent future abuse. A dedicated hotline for reporting misconduct is expected to be launched by the end of the year, as mentioned in the LAist. Nonetheless, County officials, including Supervisor Janice Hahn, expressed concerns regarding the sufficiency of the current actions, arguing that more proactive strategies are needed to ensure the safety of children under the county's care.
As the board continues to grapple with the financial pressures brought on by these settlements, the focus remains on providing compensation to the true victims of abuse. In a statement acquired by CBS News Los Angeles, Patrick McNicholas, one of the attorneys for the victims, reflected on the gravity of the situation, saying, "This landmark settlement represents restorative justice for victims." The county has vowed to treat claims with due diligence to balance compensating victims and safeguarding taxpayer interests against fraud.
