L.A. County reaches tentative $4B settlement in sex abuse cases

Los Angeles County has reached a tentative $4 billion settlement to address over 6,800 claims of childhood sexual abuse, marking the largest financial settlement in the county's history. The claims date back to 1959, with most incidents allegedly occurring at county Probation Department facilities and the MacLaren Children's Center, which closed in 2003. The settlement, pending approval by the L.A. County Claims Board and Board of Supervisors, aims to resolve most claims filed under AB 218, which waives the statute of limitations for such cases. County CEO Fesia Davenport issued an apology and affirmed the commitment to systemic changes to protect young people. The financial impact of the settlement is substantial, with payments extending to fiscal year 2050-51, funded through reserve funds, bonds, and budget cuts. Investigations are ongoing, and some cases have been referred for potential prosecution.