The ex parte application requests the Court stop settlement payouts for six months while the District Attorney’s Office completes its investigation into alleged fraudulent claims. 

June 12, 2026 – LOS ANGELES, CA – Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman filed a motion on Wednesday asking a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge to stay payments of the more than $4 billion settlement of child sex abuse claims against Los Angeles County until December 31, 2026, while the Office investigates significant allegations of fraud in a very significant majority of these cases.

A hearing to address the motion is scheduled for 8:30 a.m., Monday, June 15, in Department 534 of the Stanley Mosk Courthouse.

“I look forward to the court hearing on Monday where I will ask the Court to let the District Attorney intervene and to temporarily halt the payment and distribution of funds from the over $4 billion settlement of child sex abuse claims against Los Angeles County pending further review of a very significant number of potentially fraudulent sexual abuse claims involved in the settlement,” District Attorney Hochman said. “This intervention is critical to safeguarding the rights of the legitimate child abuse survivors, including preserving the integrity of the settlement process. It will also help ensure that individuals who have allegedly filed fraudulent claims are held accountable for exploiting the horrific abuse and trauma experienced by genuine survivors.”

District Attorney Hochman filed the motion a year after the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors agreed to pay a $4 billion settlement to more than 11,000 claims of sexual abuse from victims who were previously in custody at Los Angeles County juvenile halls, foster homes and children’s shelters.

“I have filed this application with the interests of the real victims in mind,” District Attorney Hochman added. “We believe that fraudulent claims may account for as much as 81 percent of those seeking compensation from the settlement fund. Given the structure of the settlement, identifying and excluding ineligible claimants would ensure that those who are rightfully entitled to compensation receive a larger share of the settlement.”

Read the motion here: Ex Parte Motion to Intervene and Stay

Source: Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office