LOS ANGELES (CNS) -- The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors directed its attorneys to investigate allegations that some people included in a landmark $4 billion settlement of sex abuse claims against county workers were paid to file lawsuits and become plaintiffs in the litigation.
"Fraudulent claims do a grave disservice to survivors of childhood sexual abuse and to taxpayers," Supervisor Kathryn Barger said in a statement after the unanimous board vote. "This motion ensures we are protecting both by holding bad actors accountable while maintaining the integrity of a process designed to deliver justice and healing."
The investigation follows a Los Angeles Times report earlier this month that some plaintiffs in the sweeping sex abuse settlement were paid by vendors to sue the county, and in at least two cases, fabricate claims so they could become plaintiffs.
According to The Times, the plaintiffs in question were all represented by Downtown LA Law Group, or DTLA, which had more than 2,700 cases involved in the abuse settlement.
The law firm categorically denied paying anyone to sue, saying no representatives of the firm were ever authorized to offer people money. The firm told The Times it has hired an outside company to investigate if any false claims were made.
"The allegations in this story are extremely concerning and describe conduct that is contrary to our firm's values," the firm told The Times in a statement. "While we do not believe they are accurate, we...
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