L.A. County pushes to change law that opened floodgates for billions in sex abuse payouts

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At a luncheon this week for L.A.County politicos, Supervisor Kathryn Barger pitched what she framed as a common-sense reform.Legislators in Sacramento, she argued, need to change a 2019 law that extended the statute of limitations for sex abuse lawsuits, opening the floodgates for decades-old claims that have cost the county nearly $5 billion and counting in payouts.“I want them in Sacramento to fix it,” she said.

“I have to believe that we are the tip of the iceberg.”The controversial law, Assembly Bill 218, has led to thousands of claims over abuse that took place in schools, juvenile halls and foster homes.Supporters say it continues to give survivors a chance at justice, while Barger and other officials warn the cost of the litigation is driving local governments to the brink of bankruptcy.Rolling back AB 218, critics argue, is the single most obvious thing state lawmakers can do this legislative session.

The push has gained momentum amid concerns of fraud in the first of two payouts approved last year by L.A.County officials.

At $4 billion, it was the largest sex abuse settlement in U.S.history, with the money set aside for more than 11,000 victims.The Times reported last fall on allegations of fabricated claims filed by plaintiffs within the settlement, which prompted L.A.

County Dist.Atty.

Nathan Hochman to open an investigation.Hochman told the supervisors this week that his office is reviewing “thousands of claims” for fraudulent submissions and predicted savings in the “hundreds of millions if not billions of dollars.” California The county will pause payments from its $4-billion sex abuse settlement after the district attorney asked for a six-month delay while investigating fraud allegations.Speaking at the event Wednesday, Barger suggested capping attorneys fees — acknowledging that some high-powered attorneys in the room were involved in the ...