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Los Angeles County’s secret $2 million payout to its CEO exposes a shocking pattern of taxpayer abuse and backroom deals, raising urgent questions about corruption and accountability.
Story Snapshot
- LA County Board approved a confidential $2 million taxpayer-funded settlement for CEO Fesia Davenport in July 2025.
- The payout, justified as compensation for “emotional distress,” mirrors previous secret settlements to top officials.
- Media exposure in October triggered public backlash and demands for transparency and reform.
- Ongoing investigations and mounting financial settlements threaten county stability and taxpayer trust.
Secret Payouts Erode Public Trust in LA County
In July 2025, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors quietly approved a $2 million payout to County CEO Fesia Davenport, using taxpayer dollars to settle alleged “emotional distress, embarrassment, and reputational harm.” This settlement, only revealed after persistent media investigation, fits a troubling pattern of large, confidential payments to high-ranking officials. The Board’s closed-session approval and lack of public disclosure have sparked outrage among taxpayers and watchdog groups, intensifying calls for government transparency and accountability.
County residents, already burdened by economic instability and high taxes, are frustrated by what they see as reckless financial stewardship. Davenport’s payout comes amid broader scandals, including massive settlements for sexual abuse claims and fraud allegations that have drained county coffers. The Board’s repeated use of secrecy to approve multimillion-dollar settlements has undermined faith in local government, prompting investigations and public demands for reform. Supervisor Kathryn Barger’s push for a formal inquiry into a separate $4 billion sexual abuse settlement underscores the depth of concern among reform-minded officials.
Historical Pattern of Corruption and Unchecked Settlements
LA County’s history of confidential settlements extends back years, with former CEO Sachi Hamai receiving a $1.5 million “combat pay” package in 2020 under similar circumstances. The Department of Water and Power’s billing fraud scandal and the Ridley-Thomas bribery scheme have provided precedents for the county’s opaque practices. Sheriff Alex Villanueva previously accused the Board of public corruption and called for FBI intervention, citing repeated conflicts of interest and illegal settlements. These events illustrate a systemic failure in governance that has left taxpayers footing the bill for questionable payouts and legal liabilities.
Key decision-makers, including the Board of Supervisors and county legal counsel, wield significant authority over internal investigations and settlement approvals. Meanwhile, whistleblowers and reform advocates face resistance from entrenched interests. The media’s role in exposing these deals has been crucial, but institutional inertia has slowed meaningful change. Legal experts warn that overlapping interests among county executives and attorneys enable conflicts that perpetuate a culture of impunity and fiscal abuse.
Financial Impact and Ongoing Investigations Threaten County Stability
LA County’s finances are reeling from wildfire recovery costs, economic instability, and unprecedented legal settlements. Hundreds of millions in taxpayer funds have been diverted to payouts, straining public services and infrastructure. The $2 million Davenport settlement is just one of many, with an additional $828 million in sexual abuse settlements pending approval. These expenditures have triggered public scrutiny and intensified demands for oversight. Supervisor Barger’s call for reform reflects a growing consensus that unchecked settlements and lack of transparency are unsustainable and threaten the county’s long-term stability.
Fleecing Taxpayers: LA County’s Crazy Payout https://t.co/Tb3s3sanQZ
— 🍊🍊🍊PatriotPureblood🍊🍊🍊 (@PatriotPureblo1) October 23, 2025
Short-term consequences include erosion of public trust and heightened scrutiny of county governance. Long-term effects may involve significant reforms to settlement approval processes, increased oversight of county finances, and changes in leadership or policy. Taxpayers bear the financial burden, while county employees face uncertainty and reputational harm. The frequency and secrecy of these payouts have also undermined legitimate claims from abuse victims, risking further social and political fallout.
Expert Perspectives: Calls for Transparency and Reform Grow Louder
Watchdog groups and reform advocates argue that secret settlements enable corruption and erode public confidence in government. Scholars of public administration warn that a lack of transparency fosters fiscal abuse and a culture of impunity. Legal experts highlight the dangers when county attorneys represent both the county and individual officials, creating conflicts that protect insiders over the public interest. While some officials defend settlements as necessary to avoid costly litigation, the pattern of closed-door payouts signals deeper governance failures. With major news outlets corroborating the facts, the pressure for reform and accountability continues to build.
Sources:
LA County Board to vote on $828 million sexual abuse settlement
LA County Board of Supervisors: A Pattern of Corruption With Payouts
Sex abuse fraud claims cast shadow over LA County victims
LA County CEO receives $2 million settlement after Measure G fallout