Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced that up to 81% of claims related to the historic $4 billion settlement for sexual abuse victims may be fraudulent. This settlement is reportedly the largest of its kind in U.S. history.
A motion filed on Thursday by Hochman asked a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge to pause payments until December 31, as a criminal investigation—initiated last November—continues.
“The District Attorney’s Office believes that the rate of fraudulent claims related to this settlement could be as high as 81 percent,” said Hochman’s office in court filings reviewed.
“I’ve submitted this application with genuine victims’ interests in mind,” Hochman stated, emphasizing that his intervention aims to safeguard the rights of legitimate abuse survivors and maintain the integrity of the reconciliation process.
“It will also ensure that those who have allegedly made false claims are held responsible for taking advantage of the suffering endured by real survivors,” he added.
A hearing is set for 8:30 a.m. Monday at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse in Los Angeles.
This filing comes about a year after leaders of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a payout for over 11,000 sexual abuse claims from individuals previously held in juvenile halls, foster homes, and child shelters.
The agreement, reached in April 2025, surpasses a $2.6 billion settlement with the Boy Scouts of America in 2022.
Alleged abuses date back to 1959, primarily occurring between the 1980s and 2000s. The incidents were reported to have taken place at a Probation Department facility and the now-closed McLaren Children’s Center.
Victims could pursue the lawsuit due to a 2020 law that temporarily suspended the statute of limitations for child sex abuse cases for three years.
“No amount of money can erase the horrors they endured, but this agreement acknowledges the serious harm inflicted on thousands of children over decades,” remarked Adam Slater, a lawyer for one of the plaintiffs.
“These people are living with permanent scars,” said Patrick McNicholas, representing 1,200 claimants. He emphasized the settlement offers recognition and a chance for closure.
However, the substantial amount of the settlement has stirred controversy, particularly after it became apparent that Los Angeles County would shoulder a significant financial burden.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Berger expressed concerns that the settlement costs were impacting the government’s capacity to negotiate labor contracts.
Hochman launched a criminal investigation last November, alleging that the expanded statute of limitations has potentially led to an uptick in fraudulent claims.
When announcing the investigation, he stated, “False reporting of sexual abuse undermines our entire justice system and is a serious injustice to genuine victims who have already experienced unspeakable trauma.”
He underscored his commitment, noting, “My office takes seriously claims that cash may have been given to individuals to file false sexual abuse allegations against the county. This is a criminal act that misuses the law and robs victims and taxpayers.”
“My office firmly stands with survivors, not greedy opportunists looking to exploit the pain of others.”
