Attorneys representing over 200 women are urging the federal government to investigate alleged sexual abuse within Los Angeles County’s juvenile facilities. The call for a probe comes after a historic $4 billion settlement in April, which addressed claims from more than 6,800 victims dating back to 1959. Despite this settlement, no individuals have been indicted for the alleged abuses.
The attorneys, Courtney Thom and John Manly, sent a letter to U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli, emphasizing the need for accountability. They argue that the settlement alone is insufficient without identifying those responsible. During a news conference, Manly compared the juvenile camps to Jeffrey Epstein’s island, describing them as “dens of sexual predation” where probation officers exploited minors.
One of the most notorious sites was Camp Joseph Scott in Santa Clarita, which housed up to 125 girls and was closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thom highlighted the case of Thomas Jackson, a former probation officer accused by at least 30 women of sexual assault. Although Jackson’s case was referred to prosecutors in 2023, they declined to press charges due to the age of the allegations. Jackson, who resigned in 2023, continues to receive a pension.
Despite the settlement, the county’s Office of County Counsel stated that many records are unavailable, complicating efforts to identify perpetrators. However, the county supports prosecuting those guilty of crimes against minors. The settlement arose from California’s Assembly Bill 218, which temporarily lifted the statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse claims.
The attorneys are also questioning whether the county concealed ongoing abuse during a previous federal investigation that concluded in 2014. As the legal battle continues, the attorneys aim to ensure such abuses do not happen again.
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