LA on the Record: County Board Discusses Sexual Abuse Settlements

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors convened for a lengthy private session on Tuesday, grappling with complex legal questions regarding $4 billion in sexual abuse settlements. This issue arose when some plaintiffs claimed they had received legal fees that could complicate matters.

Despite the dilemmas surrounding compensation, supervisors reiterated their commitment to ensuring that victims receive rightful compensation for abuse inflicted by county staff. Back in April, they had approved what is now recognized as the largest sexual abuse settlement in U.S. history.

However, a report from the Times last week brought forth allegations related to this compensation that hinted at possible unethical conduct. A regulator made it clear that there’s concern about taxpayer money potentially benefiting individuals who weren’t even involved with county facilities.

“The whole process made me angry and sick,” said Supervisor Kathryn Berger, who initiated the call for an investigation during the meeting. “We have to make sure this never happens again.”

Last week’s Times investigation identified seven individuals who claimed to have been paid by recruitment agencies to sue the county for sexual abuse. Alarmingly, two of them stated they were instructed to fabricate their claims. All those alleging payment are currently facing legal action from Downtown LA Law Group (DTLA), involved in the settlement alongside about 2,700 clients.

DTLA denied any wrongdoing, asserting that its representatives were not authorized to make payments for filing these lawsuits, and attempts to reach the alleged paid representatives for comments were unsuccessful.

In a statement, DTLA expressed its intent to manage claims effectively, aiming to present only valid cases while excluding false ones.

The serious allegations have thrown a wrench into an almost finalized settlement, causing both county prosecutors and plaintiffs’ attorneys to reconsider their next steps. Some are advocating for the county to withdraw from the settlement barely six months after its announcement. While there is a clause in the settlement agreement allowing withdrawal unless a significant majority of plaintiffs consent, the county is wary. After extensive negotiations, it remains uncertain about potential costs from ongoing lawsuits, which could run into the tens of millions. Suddenly, that $4 billion settlement doesn’t look so bad after all.

No decisions emerged from the closed session. The only notable takeaway was the announcement that Fesia Davenport, the CEO, will take a sick leave for several months, with Joe Nickitta stepping in temporarily.

Davenport clarified her leave is unrelated to the settlement, addressing rumors that had circulated. “I am recovering from an illness and plan to return to work in early 2026,” she said.

Supervisors plan to reconvene next Tuesday, when, according to the agenda, the settlement will be revisited in a closed session.

In light of the ongoing investigation, some county watchdog organizations are urging tighter scrutiny of upcoming insurance payments.

“I’ve been lacking the basics,” said Eric Prebun, a local government observer, expressing concern over how unchecked lawsuits may affect the county. “What did we do?”

Others, like a resident of the Daily News, are questioning the delay in actions taken by the supervisors. “I’m glad they’re finally stepping up, but why wait so long?”

The county attorney’s office assured they are actively investigating the matter, seeking any available evidence regarding the claims. “The reality is, LA County faces over 11,000 claims, many of which are old and lack substantial evidence,” the statement noted. “Survivors and taxpayers deserve an honest process, rather than one that rewards misconduct.”

Some genuine survivors fear that the allegations involving paid plaintiffs might overshadow their own traumatic experiences. Tanina Evans, aged 47 and a former resident of county-run facilities, expressed her concerns. She had sued after alleging sexual abuse by staff at a juvenile detention center. “People might start questioning whether it’s all real,” she said. “It’s not like they don’t know it exists.”

State of Play

— Palisades Arrest and Aftermath: Federal prosecutors announced charges related to the Palisades fire on Wednesday. The fire, which started on New Year’s Day, raised questions about the civil liability of the city and state regarding their roles.

— New Discoveries: With a federal investigation at a standstill, Mayor Karen Bass released a long-awaited report detailing ineffective firefighter protocols that hindered operations during the fires.

— 2022 Never Ends, Screen Time Edition: Bass spoke at a Screen Time conference, criticizing her former opponent Rick Caruso. In response, Caruso attributed the errors to a significant failure of government, particularly directed at Bass. He hasn’t clarified his political plans for the upcoming election cycle.

— Not Just Fighting: Mayor Bass urged the city council to pass an ordinance to exempt properties affected by the Palisades fire from the mansion tax, aiming to facilitate rebuilding efforts.

— Goodbye, Forkish: Jennifer Forkish, the Director of Public Affairs for the LAPD, resigned Thursday amid allegations of information leaks, which she firmly denied.

— Garbage Fee Increase: The City Council approved a significant boost in residential garbage fees for the first time in 17 years, as the city subsidizes the outdated program.

— Featured Payments: The Board of Supervisors is launching an investigation into potential wrongdoing by a legal representative involved in the sexual abuse case, while the county auditor plans to set up a hotline for public inquiries.

— Musical Chairs: Former FBI agent Errol Southers announced his resignation from the LAPD Commission after a complicated bureaucratic situation surrounding his confirmation process.

Quick Hits

• Where is Inside Safe? Annotation on the Bass Initiative regarding encampment efforts on Lincoln Boulevard in Westchester.
• Next Week’s Minutes: The board may declare a state of emergency over immigration policies to give regulators more authority in assisting affected individuals.

Stay in Touch

That’s a wrap for this week! Feel free to reach out with questions, comments, or just to share some gossip.