1 David Yakobson
From: Stanley H Epstein <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, December 7, 2025 6:53 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Cc: Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Dan Hall; Natalya Zernitskaya; Barry Snell; Oliver Chi; Heidi von Tongeln; Clerk Mailbox Subject: Item 5 D . Council Meeting on December 9, 2025- Child Sex Abuse Litigation
EXTERNAL
Ladies and Gentlemen, A few weeks ago, the City Manager stated at a NOMA monthly meeting that no child sex abuse case would thereafter be settled by our City without adequate investigation that there was no unethical or illegal action by counsel for the Plaintiff in such case. Mr. Chi further said that Interim City Attorney Heidi Von Tongein had committed to him that such preventative steps would be taken in every such case.
The LA Times recently reported on gross misconduct by attorneys representing plaintiffs in such cases in LA County, some of it rising to criminal behavior.
Santa Monica has unbelievably and negligently settled over 200 of these cases for an average amount of $1 Million without one word of deposition or other discovery at any time. The City’s current financial difficulties arises largely from those settlement payments.
It would be totally unacceptable for Council to agree to any settlementTuesday or anytime thereafter unless it is reasonably satisfied by the City’s counsel that due diligence as to all relevant facts, including the actions of lawyers for the plaintiff, has been completed and that the settlement is truly appropriate. Any conduct not satisfying that standard would subject each Council member, Heidi, and Oliver to personal liabilityto the City.
Further, it would be sensible to make a thorough investigation of all facts demonstrated in cases already settled.
Stan Epstein. 310 393 7619
Sent from my iPad
Item 5-B
December 9, 2025
Item 5-B
December 9, 2025