Los Angeles County juvenile facilities
Thousands of claims of abuse in county juvenile halls and foster facilities, and the record $4 billion settlement.
16 developments, 2019–2026, oldest first.
2019
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California governor signs AB 218, opening a window for old child sexual abuse claims
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed AB 218, extending California's statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse and opening a three-year revival window. The law later became the basis for thousands of claims against Los Angeles County.
2022
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Lawsuit alleges sexual abuse at L.A. County's MacLaren Hall children's shelter
A lawsuit filed on behalf of former residents alleges that children placed at the county-run MacLaren Hall emergency shelter were sexually abused over decades. The claims accuse the county of failing to protect children in its care.
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Nearly 300 former detainees sue L.A. County over alleged sexual abuse in juvenile facilities
A lawsuit filed Dec. 20 on behalf of 279 former detainees alleges probation and detention staff sexually abused youths at county juvenile halls and camps over several decades. The suit claims the county failed to screen, train and supervise its employees.
2023
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New complaint adds dozens more abuse allegations at L.A. County juvenile halls
A new complaint filed in Los Angeles Superior Court alleges sexual abuse and other misconduct in county juvenile facilities from the 1970s through 2023. The filing firm said it represents more than 500 people.
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Nearly 600 former detainees have sued L.A. County; county warns of up to $3 billion exposure
Lawsuits on behalf of nearly 600 people allege sexual abuse in county juvenile facilities between 1972 and 2022. The county's chief executive estimated potential payouts of $1.6 billion to $3 billion across related claims.
2025
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L.A. County reaches tentative $4 billion settlement of more than 6,800 child sex abuse claims
Los Angeles County tentatively agreed to pay $4 billion to resolve more than 6,800 claims of childhood sexual abuse, mostly tied to juvenile facilities and foster care. Officials called it the costliest settlement in county history.
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L.A. County supervisors approve record $4 billion juvenile sex abuse settlement
The Board of Supervisors approved the $4 billion payout, described as the largest such settlement in U.S. history. The claims were brought under the state law that revived expired childhood abuse claims.
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L.A. County orders investigation of attorneys after report that plaintiffs were paid to sue
Supervisors unanimously directed county counsel to examine possible wrongdoing by attorneys tied to the abuse lawsuits and set up a tip line. The move followed Times reporting that some plaintiffs were allegedly recruited and paid to file claims, which the law firm denies.
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More plaintiffs say they were recruited to file false claims in L.A. County abuse settlement
Additional plaintiffs told the Times they were recruited and told to invent abuse claims filed as part of the $4 billion settlement. The law firm denies involvement, and genuine survivors voiced fears the allegations would overshadow real cases.
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L.A. County reaches $828 million deal to settle about 400 more abuse claims
Los Angeles County tentatively agreed to an additional $828 million settlement covering roughly 400 more claims of sexual abuse in county youth facilities and foster care. The deal comes on top of the earlier $4 billion accord.
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L.A. County supervisors approve $828 million child sex abuse settlement
Supervisors approved the $828 million payout and said every claim in both settlements would be reviewed. Officials acknowledged the claims system created under AB 218 was vulnerable to fraud.
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L.A. County D.A. opens criminal probe into alleged fraud in $4.8 billion abuse settlements
District Attorney Nathan Hochman's office began investigating attorneys and others suspected of submitting false claims to share in the settlements. The probe followed reporting that some plaintiffs were steered to a law firm and paid to fabricate claims.
2026
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D.A. asks L.A. County to hold off on early abuse settlement payouts during fraud probe
The district attorney asked the county to delay early payments from the $4 billion settlement for at least six months while investigators examine suspected fake claims. The county agreed to fund a settlement trust but withhold payments pending further review.
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L.A. County counsel investigates law firm over possibly fraudulent AB 218 abuse claims
County counsel launched an investigation into DTLA Law Group and others over potentially fraudulent claims, with Supervisor Kathryn Barger voicing support. The firm has denied wrongdoing.
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D.A. seeks court order halting $4 billion settlement payouts, estimates most claims may be fraudulent
Hochman asked a Superior Court judge to freeze juvenile hall claim payouts through Dec. 31, 2026, estimating up to 81% of claims could be fraudulent. Plaintiffs' attorneys disputed the estimate.
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Judge rejects D.A.'s bid to pause L.A. County abuse settlement payments
A Los Angeles Superior Court judge denied the district attorney's request to halt payments on the settlement covering more than 11,000 claims. Survivors' lawyers had argued that delays would harm ill or financially struggling claimants.