Los Angeles county agrees $4bn sex abuse pay-out

by Huw GRIFFITH

Los Angeles County has agreed to pay $4 billion to settle thousands of sex abuse claims dating back decades, it said Friday, in what looks set to be the largest-ever such settlement.

The agreement, which must still be approved by the board of supervisors, is intended to compensate almost 7,000 people who were subjected to abuse while in juvenile facilities and children's homes in the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s.

"On behalf of the county, I apologize wholeheartedly...