LA District Attorney Investigates Law Firm for Alleged Fraudulent Sexual Abuse Claims

Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman announced Wednesday that his office is “aggressively” investigating Downtown LA Law and other firms for allegedly paying people to file false juvenile sexual abuse claims against the county, which resulted in a landmark $4 billion settlement.

Hochman revealed that Downtown LA Law is “one of the law firms” under scrutiny, though he emphasized the investigation is not limited to just one practice. The probe follows recent media reports suggesting attorneys may have induced people to file claims for abuse they never experienced.

“With respect to these fraudsters—and we estimate that there are a significant number involved—we’re going to go after them aggressively,” Hochman said during a press conference. “We’re going to go after them to put them behind bars. We’re going to go after them to send a message to any potential fraudulent claimants in the future, including the lawyers and law firms.”

The investigation centers on the $4 billion settlement approved by the county’s Board of Supervisors in April, covering approximately 11,000 victims who claimed they were abused as minors at the now-closed MacLaren Hall foster care facility. The claims date back to 1959. Last month, an additional $828 million settlement was reached for over 400 alleged survivors who reported abuse at county probation facilities for juvenile offenders.

Hochman stressed that “a huge number of these claims are valid,” but noted the massive settlement “sadly attracted fraudsters” who saw it as an opportunity for “free money.” While Downtown LA Law has declined to issue any statement since denying involvement in fraudulent misconduct in an October 16 Los Angeles Times article, media reports suggest the firm represents more than 2,000 plaintiffs in the settlement.

As part of the investigation, Hochman announced the implementation of a fraud hotline for claimants willing to confess to filing false reports. Those who come forward voluntarily may receive more lenient treatment, though they will not be entirely immune from prosecution.

“If you come to us first, and you truthfully, fully cooperate in this investigation, then your statements will not be used against you in any criminal prosecution against you. That is our commitment,” Hochman explained. He emphasized that this offer only applies to individual claimants, not to attorneys, law firms, or medical providers involved in the cases.

The controversy unfolds against the backdrop of California’s Assembly Bill 218, enacted in 2020, which lifted the statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse claims. The legislation allowed survivors to file civil lawsuits that were previously time-barred, leading thousands of alleged victims in Los Angeles County to come forward. This formed the foundation of what has become one of the largest sexual abuse settlements ever reached with a U.S. public entity.

When questioned about Downtown LA Law’s alleged role in the misconduct, Hochman declined to provide specific details, citing the early stages of the investigation. However, he made clear that his office would be examining any law firm that submitted claims later proven to be fraudulent.

“They are one of the law firms we are focusing on, but we’re not limiting it to just the Downtown LA Law Group,” Hochman stated. “Any law firm that submitted any claimant—if that claimant turns out to be fraudulent—we will take a very strong and thorough look at how that fraudulent claim came to be.”

The cases involved in the settlement are being overseen by several Superior Court judges. Lawsuits stemming from MacLaren Hall are assigned to Judge Elaine Lu, while those from Camp Joseph Scott and other county-run facilities are under Judge Lawrence P. Riff. Cases involving alleged abuses in private foster homes are being handled by Judge Laura A. Seigle.

The district attorney’s investigation continues as authorities work to distinguish legitimate claims from potentially fraudulent ones in what has become a complex and high-profile legal matter affecting thousands of alleged abuse victims.