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Los Angeles County has reached a tentative $828 million settlement to resolve more than 400 additional childhood sexual abuse cases filed under California’s AB 218 law. This marks the county’s second major agreement addressing decades-old abuse allegations, following a $4 billion settlement approved in April 2025.
The latest settlement involves lawsuits from former juvenile offenders who suffered abuse while housed in county probation facilities. Courtney M. Thom, partner at Manly, Stewart & Finaldi, serves as liaison counsel for lawsuits related to Camp Joseph Scott and other facilities. These cases had been assigned to Judge Lawrence P. Riff, with the lead case previously scheduled for trial before year-end.
John C. Manly, a name partner at the firm, declined comment pending county approval of the settlement. Earlier this year, Manly called for federal criminal investigation into the decades of alleged sex abuse within Los Angeles County’s juvenile facilities.
Other legal teams involved in the settlement include Arias Sanguinetti Wang & Team LLP and Panish Shea Ravipudi LLP, whose representatives did not respond to comment requests.
If approved by the County Claims Board and Board of Supervisors, an independent allocator will oversee distribution of funds to survivors. Individual awards will be determined based on the severity and credibility of each claim, according to Friday’s county announcement.
The alleged abuse in most cases occurred in the 2000s, though some cases date back to the 1950s, according to Senior Assistant County Counsel Jason Gonzalez. The county faced significant procedural challenges due to the volume of lawsuits and record-keeping statutes that mandate destruction of juvenile records after certain time periods.
“The court didn’t want discovery, and we recognized the reality of the situation, so we didn’t say we wanted discovery,” Gonzalez explained in a Daily Journal interview, joined by County Counsel Dawyn Harrison. “The majority of cases are older than the time period that we are required to destroy. We therefore don’t have our own internal documents that would help us assess those claims.”
To protect against fraudulent claims, Harrison emphasized that the county is implementing rigorous anti-fraud protocols throughout the vetting and allocation process. All plaintiffs must submit detailed, sworn statements outlining the abuse experienced and resulting harm. Claims will undergo review by a panel of retired judges serving as independent allocators, with fraudulent claims denied payment and excluded from the settlement.
Claims submitted through DTLA Law Group will face enhanced scrutiny following Los Angeles Times reports alleging the firm offered cash incentives to file false claims. Though DTLA has denied wrongdoing, plaintiffs represented by the firm will undergo additional review procedures, potentially including interviews and requests for further documentation.
The Consumer Attorneys of California has called for an investigation into DTLA Law Group and supported Senate Bill 37, signed by Governor Gavin Newsom on October 11, which allows consumers to sue over unlawful attorney solicitations and legal advertising. The organization also backed an independent audit of plaintiffs in the $4 billion settlement recently approved by county supervisors.
Over 14,000 claims have been filed under AB 218, the 2020 law that extended the statute of limitations for certain sex abuse liabilities, with more claims anticipated.
The unprecedented scale of these settlements has raised significant concerns about the county’s financial stability. In the past two years, five of California’s twelve Roman Catholic dioceses have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy due to AB 218-related settlements. School districts facing similar claims worry that the county’s agreement could escalate costs of their own future settlements.
Joe Nicchitta, the county’s acting chief executive officer, warned that costs stemming from AB 218 will necessitate cutbacks in critical programs and services to residents.
“L.A. County and other local governments must balance their obligations to past victims with the need to avoid ruinous financial impacts that would undermine the very social safety net services that our young people, families and communities depend on today,” Nicchitta stated.
County officials emphasized the dual imperatives of providing justice for victims while protecting public funds. Harrison indicated that attorneys found engaging in misconduct may face State Bar referrals for disciplinary action. Meanwhile, L.A. County continues advocating for legislative reforms to address the challenges created by AB 218 while strengthening internal safeguards to prevent future abuse.
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7 Comments
This massive settlement is a sobering reminder of the systemic failures that allowed such widespread abuse to occur. While the money can never fully make up for the trauma, I hope it provides some measure of justice and closure for the victims. Meaningful reform is clearly needed to protect vulnerable youth in the future.
Deeply troubling to hear about the decades of alleged abuse in LA County’s juvenile facilities. An $828 million payout is a heavy price, but the victims deserve justice and compensation. Rigorous oversight and cultural change are needed to prevent such abuses in the future.
Agreed. Comprehensive reforms and accountability measures must be implemented to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all young people in the county’s custody.
Tragic abuse allegations against LA County’s juvenile detention system. An $828 million settlement is a heavy price, but justice and accountability are crucial. Hopefully this leads to meaningful reforms to protect vulnerable youth in custody.
This massive settlement underscores the severity of the abuse claims. While the money can’t undo the harm done, it’s good to see the county taking responsibility and trying to provide some compensation for the victims. Oversight and reform must be the priority going forward.
Absolutely, reforms are essential to ensure this never happens again. Transparency and accountability will be key to rebuilding trust in the system.
An $828 million settlement is a staggering amount, but the scale of the alleged abuse warrants strong action. I hope this serves as a wake-up call for LA County to overhaul its juvenile detention practices and protect the vulnerable youth in its care.