Introduction to the Settlement
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved an $828 million settlement with 414 plaintiffs who claim they were the victims of childhood sexual abuse at the hands of county workers.
The settlement is on top of an earlier $4 billion settlement reached on behalf of roughly 11,000 claimants. That settlement has already led to financial consequences for the county, including curtailments in spending and many county departments coping with 3% budget cuts during the current fiscal year. Some county services are also undergoing reductions.
Background of the Claims
The various claims involved in the settlements were the result of AB 218, which temporarily lifted the statute of limitations on allegations of childhood sexual abuse. The claims included in the two settlements involve allegations dating back as far as 1959, targeting workers at the county Probation and Children and Family Services departments.
Review Process for Claims
County officials said that in light of recent allegations that some plaintiffs may have made fraudulent damages claims, every individual abuse claim involved in both settlements will be carefully reviewed. Every claim will be vetted, with individual plaintiffs being required to provide a "detailed, multi-page written factual summary, under penalty of perjury, of the alleged misconduct and resulting harms."
Statement from Board of Supervisors Chair
"The system created by AB 218 is inherently vulnerable to fraud, but the county established fraud protections from the beginning of the settlement discussions and has now strengthened the review process to further ensure that money goes only to the true victims of abuse,” Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger said in a statement. "Our settlements balance our obligation to compensate victims and treat their experiences with compassion with the need to put strong protections in place to protect taxpayers from fraud."
Investigation into Allegations of Fraud
The Board of Supervisors recently directed its attorneys to investigate allegations that some people included in the $4 billion settlement of sex abuse claims were paid to file lawsuits and become plaintiffs in the litigation.
The investigation follows a Los Angeles Times report finding that some plaintiffs in the sweeping sex abuse settlement were paid by vendors to sue the county, and in at least two cases, fabricate claims so they could become plaintiffs.
Response from Downtown LA Law Group
The plaintiffs in question were all represented by Downtown LA Law Group, or DTLA, which had more than 2,700 cases involved in the abuse settlement.
The law firm categorically denied paying anyone to sue, and said no representatives of the firm were ever authorized to offer people money. The firm told The Times it has hired an outside company to investigate if any false claims were made.
"The allegations in this story are extremely concerning and describe conduct that is contrary to our firm’s values," the firm said in a statement. "While we do not believe they are accurate, we are taking them seriously."
Consequences for Fraudulent Claims
According to The Times, its investigation found seven plaintiffs who said they were paid by “recruiters” for a law firm to become involved in litigation against the county.
In a statement announcing the latest proposed settlement, county officials said any plaintiffs suspected of submitting fraudulent damages claims "will be required to make a substantiated showing before an independent allocator, who may require additional proof of claims."
Any claim found to be fraudulent will result in the plaintiff being removed from the settlement process, meaning they will not receive any money, county officials said.
Conclusion
The approval of the $828 million settlement is a significant step towards providing compensation to the victims of childhood sexual abuse. However, the allegations of fraudulent claims and the need for a thorough review process highlight the complexity and challenges of such settlements. The county’s efforts to balance compensation for victims with protection against fraud are crucial in ensuring that justice is served.
FAQs
Q: What is the amount of the settlement approved by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors?
A: The settlement amount is $828 million.
Q: How many plaintiffs are involved in the settlement?
A: There are 414 plaintiffs involved in the settlement.
Q: What is the background of the claims involved in the settlements?
A: The claims are the result of AB 218, which temporarily lifted the statute of limitations on allegations of childhood sexual abuse, and involve allegations dating back as far as 1959.
Q: What is the review process for claims involved in the settlements?
A: Every individual abuse claim will be carefully reviewed, and plaintiffs will be required to provide a detailed, written factual summary of the alleged misconduct and resulting harms.
Q: What are the consequences for fraudulent claims?
A: Any claim found to be fraudulent will result in the plaintiff being removed from the settlement process, meaning they will not receive any money.
