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4w ago

Los Angeles County Reaches Historic $4 Billion Tentative Settlement Over Child Sexual Abuse Claims

The agreement, pending final approvals, seeks to resolve nearly 7,000 claims of abuse in juvenile facilities and foster care, marking the largest such settlement in U.S. history.

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Los Angeles County has agreed to pay $4 billion to almost 7,000 victims of historical sexual abuse suffered in its facilities
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Overview

  • The $4 billion settlement addresses decades of abuse allegations involving juvenile facilities and the now-closed MacLaren Children’s Center, primarily from the 1980s to the 2000s.
  • California's AB 218 law, which temporarily lifted the statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse claims, enabled thousands of victims to file lawsuits.
  • The settlement includes provisions for systemic reforms, such as a countywide abuse reporting hotline and expedited investigations, alongside a public apology from County CEO Fesia Davenport.
  • The financial impact on Los Angeles County will be significant, requiring reserve fund usage, budget cuts, and bond issuance, with payments extending through 2051.
  • The agreement awaits approval from the Claims Board on April 7 and the Board of Supervisors on April 29, with funds to be distributed by independent allocators starting in 2026.