$4-billion sex abuse case in limbo: Victims 'will die before they get paid,' attorney warns

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With the first tranche of money from Los Angeles County’s $4-billion sex abuse settlement scheduled to hit victims’ bank accounts next week, the county’s district attorney made a last-ditch effort Monday to stop the payouts, which he says are rife with fake claims.Dist.Atty.

Nathan Hochman asked the judge presiding over the case to halt the historic payout, while the county’s legal team fought to keep the deal on track.“This is among the most remarkable things I’ve ever seen as a legal professional,” said Superior Court Judge Lawrence Riff, who oversees the bulk of the sex abuse cases.“We have the county of Los Angeles with its county counsel’s office, which is a very substantial and sophisticated office, telling me this payment program should go forward,” Riff said.“And I have the D.A.

from the same county telling me it shouldn’t, and that the county of Los Angeles is inadequate to protect these funds.” California L.A.County Dist.

Atty.Nathan Hochman asks a judge to pause payouts for six months as he investigates ‘significant’ allegations of fraud in a $4-billion sex abuse settlement.Riff held off on making a decision on Hochman’s request for a six-month delay, asking the lawyers to halt payments until another hearing scheduled for June 25.

The six-month delay was vehemently opposed by most plaintiff attorneys, who say their clients have suffered horrific abuse and are in desperate need of cash.“I believe some of my clients will die before they get paid if this is delayed,” said attorney Raymond Boucher.A six-month delay, Boucher argued, could lead to as much as $30 million carved out of plaintiffs’ profits due to the staggering number of impoverished clients who have taken out high-interest loans against their expected payouts.“It’s been one ‘screw you’ after another,” said Nate Cervantes, 44, who sued over abuse that he said o...