Los Angeles County has agreed to pay $2.7 million to Jose Rivas Barillas, a teenager assaulted at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall. The incident led to a criminal investigation, resulting in the indictment of 30 probation staff members for allegedly allowing gladiator-style fights. The settlement arose after surveillance footage of the assault went viral, prompting swift action from the county to avoid further litigation. Attorney Jamaal Tooson criticized the systemic issues within the probation department, emphasizing the rarity of settling claims pre-lawsuit and the challenges faced in similar cases.
Surveillance footage of the December 2023 attack on Jose Rivas Barillas sparked a criminal investigation and the indictment of 30 probation employees for enabling violent fights.
Attorney Jamaal Tooson noted the unusualness of LA County settling a claim pre-lawsuit, suggesting that the viral video compelled them to act quickly to mitigate damage.
Tooson suspects the video leak was instrumental in prompting the settlement, indicating serious shortcomings in the Los Angeles County Probation Department's culture and oversight.
This incident and subsequent settlement reveal significant concerns regarding staff accountability and systemic issues within the culture of the Los Angeles County Probation Department.
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