The Los Angeles County District Attorney's office has initiated a criminal investigation into allegations of fraudulent claims of child sexual abuse, following the provision of a legal lifeline that saw thousands come forward with accounts of such violations. DA Nathan Hochman announced this probe at a news conference, highlighting concerns about the misuse of the system by individuals potentially fabricating claims for financial gain, as reported by CBS Los Angeles.
Following the enactment of Assembly Bill 218 in October 2019, which extended the statute of limitations for reporting childhood sexual abuse, Los Angeles County settled roughly 6,800 claims for $4 billion earlier this year—a record-breaking settlement in terms of both the number of claimants and settlement amount. This influx of claims didn't cease there; rather, it was augmented by subsequent filings that pushed the total number of claims over 14,000. "With respect to these fraudsters… we're going to go after them aggressively," Hochman stated, asserting that an atmosphere of fraudulent activity has been engendered by this legislative change.
Concern extends to the legal professionals who may have contributed to the purported deceit. Hochman mentioned, "Some of the culprits could include law firms alleged to have paid off individuals to submit false sexual abuse claims against the county." This claim of criminal conduct and an abuse of the law, as Hochman told CBS Los Angeles, means that his office "unequivocally stands with survivors, not greedy opportunists who profit from others' pain."
The District Attorney's Office has provided a means for the public to participate in rooting out this alleged misconduct, as evidenced by their establishment of the LA County AB 218 Fraud Hotline. "False reporting of sexual abuse undermines our entire justice system and is a grave disservice to actual victims who have already suffered unspeakable trauma," Hochman underscored in a statement available through the District Attorney's Office News Release. In a gesture toward leniency and a call for truth, the office encourages individual non-lawyer claimants who may have been deceitful to step forward with the assurance that these particular statements will not be used against them.
The DA's Office is scrutinizing hundreds of claims to unearth any potential fraud, which has the dual impact of stealing from real victims and the taxpayers who fund these substantial settlements. As the investigation continues, the total cost to Los Angeles County rises, with taxpayers footing a hefty bill for both genuine recompense and the expense of chasing down those accused of deceit. For tips on potential fraud in this case, the public can reach out to the hotline by calling (844) 901-0001 or visiting their website at fraud.lacounty.gov/ab218, where reports are kept confidential and anonymous submissions are accepted.
