Los Angeles County to pay $2.7 million settlement for ‘gladiator fights’ at juvenile detention center

Los Angeles County has settled for $2.7 million with a teenager who was brutally beaten by other young people in a juvenile detention center, where the violent attacks— ‘gladiator fights’ —were allegedly facilitated by probation officers.The settlement, announced Monday, comes after a state grand jury charged 30 correctional officers in March with their parts in authorizing and encouraging almost 70 organized battles at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall between July 2022 and 2023.

The case revolves around a 16-year-old youth, who was assaulted by at least six other detainees as officers watched, some of them even shaking hands with the attackers. The assault has been recorded on surveillance footage, subsequently released by the Los Angeles Times, which outraged citizens and prompted investigation. The authorities claim that over 140 youths, between the ages of 12 and 18, were assaulted in various such episodes.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta released a statement about the indictments, saying, "It appears these assaults were premeditated," and characterized an operation in which fights were scheduled to take place at particular times and locations, and in which staff were involved in the violence. The investigation found that staff did not monitor security cameras, delayed to provide medical treatment to the wounded teen, and didn't inform his parents for too long.


Jamal Tooson, the victim's lawyer, described the settlement as "a first step" toward recognizing the "egregious" shortcomings of the Los Angeles County Probation Department. "Our focus must not only be on safeguarding my client but also on protecting all minors in similar situations," Tooson stated, cautioning that a pervasive "culture problem" remains within the department.

Following the revelations, a judge ordered the closure of Los Padrinos for juvenile housing, and over 100 youths have since been relocated. The probation department has pledged reforms, including continuous CCTV monitoring and improved protocols for medical care and parental notification. However, advocates stress that systemic cultural change is needed to prevent future abuses.