Los Angeles DA claims 80% of claims in $4 billion sexual abuse settlement may be fraudulent

Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman has requested a judge to freeze payments to victims of a $4 billion sexual abuse lawsuit settlement, stating that up to 80% of the claims could be fraudulent. This settlement, agreed upon in April 2025, addresses over 11,000 claims related to sexual abuse in county-run juvenile halls and foster homes, marking it as the largest sexual abuse settlement in U.S. history. An investigation by the Los Angeles Times identified nine plaintiffs who claimed they were recruited to join the class-action lawsuit, with four stating their claims were fraudulent. Hochman began his investigation following the Times' report and is seeking a six-month freeze on payments while continuing his inquiry. The request specifically pertains to claims from juvenile halls, which constitute the majority of the cases. Hochman noted that the scrutiny on claimants has increased since the investigation's findings. The Downtown LA Law Group (DTLA), which represented the nine plaintiffs, denied any involvement in recruiting individuals for the lawsuit and expressed concerns about the scrutiny they have faced compared to other firms. Plaintiff representatives have criticized Hochman's claims, arguing that they further victimize those who have already suffered. A court review of Hochman's request is scheduled for Monday.