Loading News Article...
We're loading the full news article for you. This includes the article content, images, author information, and related articles.
/
/
We're loading the full news article for you. This includes the article content, images, author information, and related articles.
Los Angeles County has tentatively agreed to pay an additional KSh 120 billion (USD 828 million) to settle over 400 new sexual abuse claims, bringing the total settlements to KSh 580 billion (USD 4.828 billion) this year.
Los Angeles County, California, announced on Friday, October 17, 2025, a tentative agreement to pay KSh 120 billion (USD 828 million) to resolve more than 400 additional sexual abuse claims against county employees. This new settlement follows a historic KSh 580 billion (USD 4 billion) agreement reached in April 2025, which addressed approximately 11,000 claims of sexual abuse in juvenile facilities dating back decades.
The latest agreement, which still requires approval from the County Claims Board and the Board of Supervisors, would bring the total amount committed to settling sexual abuse claims this year to KSh 580 billion (USD 4.828 billion). Kathryn Barger, Chair of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, stated that the settlements aim to compensate victims with compassion while implementing protections against fraudulent claims.
The surge in lawsuits stems from a California law, Assembly Bill 218 (AB 218), which took effect in January 2020. This law temporarily suspended the statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse victims, providing a three-year window for individuals to file civil claims regardless of when the abuse occurred. This legislative change allowed thousands of people to come forward with allegations of mistreatment and sexual abuse in foster care and juvenile detention facilities within the county, with claims dating as far back as 1959.
AB 218 significantly expanded the legal rights of survivors, enabling them to seek justice and accountability through the civil justice system. Prior to 2020, survivors typically had to file a claim by their 26th birthday or within three years of discovering the effects of the abuse. The new law extended this deadline to age 40 or five years from discovery, whichever is later.
The county has acknowledged that its ability to assess the validity of some allegations has been hampered by a lack of records, the sheer volume of cases, and court-ordered limits on legal discovery. In response, Los Angeles County has implemented new safeguards to prevent abuse and ensure swift action when it occurs, including a new hotline for reporting child sexual abuse allegations against county employees, expected to be operational by the end of 2025.
The settlements have placed unprecedented financial strain on Los Angeles County, which has also been contending with the aftermath of devastating wildfires earlier in 2025. Acting Chief Executive Officer Joe Nicchitta indicated that the costs associated with AB 218 will necessitate cutbacks in critical programs and services for residents.
Concerns about fraudulent claims have emerged, with authorities investigating allegations that some individuals were paid to file lawsuits. A Los Angeles Times investigation revealed that nine plaintiffs included in the initial KSh 580 billion (USD 4 billion) settlement claimed they were paid to file lawsuits, and four of them admitted to making fraudulent claims. The county has stated that the credibility of every individual claim will be reviewed, and those found to be fraudulent will not receive any money from the settlement.
The substantial financial payouts pose significant long-term budgetary challenges for Los Angeles County. The county's plan to finance the settlements includes using reserve funds, issuing judgment obligation bonds, and implementing departmental budget cuts. These financial pressures could impact the delivery of essential public services to residents. The ongoing investigations into fraudulent claims also highlight the complexities and potential vulnerabilities within large-scale victim compensation processes.
The full extent of fraudulent claims within the settlements remains under investigation. It is unclear how many individuals may have submitted false allegations and what the ultimate impact of these findings will be on the overall settlement process and public trust. The specific mechanisms for vetting and allocating funds for the latest KSh 120 billion (USD 828 million) settlement, and who will oversee this process, have not been fully detailed.
The upcoming approvals by the County Claims Board and the Board of Supervisors for the latest KSh 120 billion (USD 828 million) settlement will be a key development. Further details on the independent allocation process for this settlement, including how individual awards will be determined and how fraudulent claims will be identified and excluded, are anticipated. The ongoing investigations into alleged fraud within the initial KSh 580 billion (USD 4 billion) settlement will also be closely watched, as their findings could influence future legal and policy responses to such claims.
The Los Angeles County settlements are among the largest of their kind in US history, surpassing previous major sexual abuse settlements such as the KSh 377 billion (USD 2.6 billion) agreement reached by the Boy Scouts of America in 2022. The financial implications for Los Angeles County mirror concerns faced by other institutions and governments grappling with similar claims following changes in statute of limitations laws.
