Los Angeles County faced a surge in lawsuits last year, with a staggering 2,675 new cases filed in the last fiscal year. This marked an increase of about 400 cases from the previous year, making it the highest number of lawsuits recorded since tracking began in 2008. The county found itself grappling with mounting legal expenses as it defended against a flood of child sex abuse claims.
Departments on the Frontlines
The Department of Children and Family Services emerged as the most frequently sued entity, with 882 cases filed against it. Following closely behind were the Probation and Sheriff’s departments, each facing 304 lawsuits. These departments have been embroiled in a multitude of legal battles, with allegations of sexual abuse in foster homes, probation facilities, and a former children’s shelter.
The rise in lawsuits did not translate to a corresponding increase in overall litigation costs. In fact, the county saw a significant decrease in its legal spending, amounting to $220 million in the last fiscal year. This represented a 35% drop from the previous year, largely attributed to the resolution of high-profile cases, such as the settlements arising from the tragic 2020 helicopter crash that claimed the life of basketball star Kobe Bryant and eight others.
Despite the overall decline in litigation costs, the amount paid to outside attorneys surged by 18% to $75 million, nearly double the expenditure from four years prior. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department bore the brunt of these legal expenses, with its litigation costs shrinking to just under $100 million last year. This still positioned the department as the highest spender in the county, underlining the substantial financial burden it faces in addressing legal challenges.
Addressing Accountability
As the county grapples with escalating legal expenses, questions have been raised about accountability and reform within law enforcement agencies. Melissa Camacho, a senior staff attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California, highlighted concerns about the Sheriff’s Department’s budget ballooning to $4 billion, despite the significant legal costs it incurs. She emphasized the need for greater oversight and measures to address systemic issues within the department.
The District Attorney’s Office also faced mounting legal expenses, totaling over $24 million last year due to lawsuits alleging wrongful prosecutions. The new District Attorney, Nathan Hochman, assumed office after these cases had been settled, signaling a shift in leadership amid ongoing legal challenges. The increase in legal spending underscored the complexities and costs associated with addressing legal claims against public entities.
Many of the cases outlined in the county’s legal spending report harkened back to incidents from years past, reflecting a legacy of unresolved legal disputes. The county’s expenditure of $220 million on litigation primarily went towards settlements and court judgments, with over $124 million allocated for this purpose. These payouts encompassed a range of legal claims, including wrongful convictions, sexual abuse cases, and civil rights violations, underscoring the diverse challenges faced by the county.
The Office of the County Counsel attributed the rise in legal spending to higher attorney fees and the defense against a surge of sexual abuse cases following legislative changes. Since victims of childhood sex abuse were granted a new window to sue in 2020, the county has been inundated with over 2,600 lawsuits involving more than 6,600 plaintiffs. The county’s engagement of multiple law firms to handle these claims reflects the complexity and scale of the legal challenges it faces, as it navigates a landscape shaped by evolving legal frameworks and societal expectations.
As the county grapples with the fallout of these legal battles, transparency and accountability have emerged as key themes in the discourse surrounding public spending and legal defense strategies. David Loy, legal director with the First Amendment Coalition, emphasized the importance of public oversight and scrutiny in ensuring that taxpayer funds are allocated responsibly and effectively. This call for greater transparency underscores the need for robust mechanisms to track and assess legal expenditures, fostering accountability and informed decision-making within the county’s legal framework.
