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Los Angeles County prosecutors have launched a criminal investigation into allegations of fraudulent sexual abuse claims filed against the county, District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced Wednesday. The investigation follows concerns that some individuals may have submitted false claims or been recruited as plaintiffs in litigation that resulted in massive settlement payouts.
“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 said in a statement. “My office is taking the allegations seriously that some individuals were paid cash to have law firms file false sexual abuse claims against the county. This is criminal conduct that abuses the law and steals from victims and taxpayers.”
The investigation comes just weeks after the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved an $828 million settlement with 414 plaintiffs who alleged they were victims of childhood sexual abuse in county facilities. This settlement followed an earlier, historic $4 billion agreement involving approximately 11,000 claimants—one of the largest sexual abuse settlements in U.S. history.
Both settlements stemmed from claims made possible by Assembly Bill 218, California legislation that temporarily lifted the statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse allegations. The claims included in these settlements date back as far as 1959 and primarily involve allegations against workers in the county’s Probation and Children and Family Services departments.
When approving the most recent settlement last month, the Board of Supervisors directed county attorneys to investigate potential fraudulent claims. The settlement terms also required enhanced vetting procedures, including mandatory written statements from each plaintiff detailing their alleged abuse, submitted under penalty of perjury.
In an unusual move, Hochman announced an amnesty program during Wednesday’s news conference for individuals who may have submitted fraudulent claims. Those who voluntarily come forward and cooperate with investigators by identifying everyone involved in recruiting them could receive protection from prosecution.
“We will not use your words against you in any criminal prosecution,” Hochman promised potential whistleblowers.
The Los Angeles Times previously reported that some plaintiffs involved in the $4 billion settlement were allegedly paid by vendors to sue the county, with at least two cases involving fabricated claims. According to the newspaper’s investigation, the plaintiffs in question were represented by Downtown LA Law Group (DTLA), which handled more than 2,700 cases in the abuse settlement.
The Times identified seven plaintiffs who claimed they were paid by “recruiters” working for a law firm to participate in litigation against the county. This pattern of recruitment, if proven true, would constitute a significant abuse of the legal system and misappropriation of taxpayer funds intended for legitimate victims.
DTLA has strongly denied the allegations, stating they never authorized anyone to offer payment for lawsuits. “The allegations in this story are extremely concerning and describe conduct that is contrary to our firm’s values,” the firm told The Times. “While we do not believe they are accurate, we are taking them seriously.” The law firm has reportedly hired an outside company to investigate whether any false claims were submitted through their office.
The scandal threatens to undermine public confidence in the legitimate claims of sexual abuse victims and raises questions about oversight in mass tort litigation. Legal experts note that large-scale settlements like these can sometimes attract fraudulent claims due to the difficulty in verifying decades-old allegations.
County officials have established a fraud hotline (844-901-0001) and website (fraud.lacounty.gov/ab218) for individuals with information about allegedly false abuse claims or payments made to encourage fraudulent litigation.
The investigation continues as prosecutors work to determine the scope of potential fraud and identify all parties involved in the alleged scheme.
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12 Comments
If these allegations prove true, it would be a betrayal of genuine victims and a violation of public trust. The district attorney’s investigation must be rigorous and impartial to uncover the full truth, whatever that may be.
This is a very serious and sensitive issue. While the historic settlements suggest many valid cases, any allegations of fraudulent claims must be investigated thoroughly. The district attorney’s probe is crucial to upholding the integrity of the legal system.
Alleged false sexual abuse claims are a grave matter. While the scale of the settlements suggests many valid cases, any abuse of the system should be swiftly addressed. I’m interested to see what the district attorney’s investigation uncovers.
Allegations of fraudulent sexual abuse claims against LA County are extremely concerning. While the historic settlements suggest many valid cases, any abuse of the system must be swiftly addressed. A thorough investigation is warranted.
Allegations of fraudulent sexual abuse claims are extremely serious. If proven true, it would be a betrayal of victims and taxpayers alike. A rigorous investigation is critical to restore faith in the justice system.
I agree, any abuse of the legal process in this way is unacceptable. The district attorney must get to the bottom of these claims.
If these allegations are true, it’s deeply concerning. Fraudulent claims not only harm taxpayers but also overshadow the plight of real victims who deserve justice and support. A rigorous investigation is warranted to ensure the integrity of the legal process.
This is a complex and sensitive issue. I hope the district attorney’s probe is thorough and impartial, to uphold the integrity of the legal system while also supporting genuine victims. False claims undermine important efforts to address sexual abuse.
The district attorney’s probe into potentially false sexual abuse claims against LA County is an important step. Fraudulent accusations undermine efforts to support real victims and erode confidence in the legal system. I hope the investigation is thorough and transparent.
Agreed. Any abuse of the legal process in this way is unacceptable and must be addressed decisively.
This is a serious issue that deserves thorough investigation. False claims undermine efforts to support genuine victims of abuse and erode public trust. I hope the district attorney’s probe uncovers the full truth, whatever that may be.
This is a very troubling development. False claims not only undermine support for real victims but also erode public trust in the legal system. I hope the district attorney’s investigation is comprehensive and impartial.