L.A. SUITS COST TAXPAYERS $209 MILLION OVER 2 YEARS.

Byline: TROY ANDERSON

Staff Writer

Los Angeles county and city lawsuit settlements, verdicts and outside counsel have cost taxpayers more than $209 million in the last two years, according to a report released Thursday.

The report California Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse said reasons for the settlements range from slip-and-fall accidents on public property to employment-related lawsuits.

"These funds could be going to much more important things like our sheriffs, police officers and firefighters," said Peter Bylsma, executive director of the Los Angeles chapter of the nonprofit tort reform group.

The report found the county spent $73.4 million in 2005-06 to cover verdicts, settlements and outside legal fees -- up from $64.8 million in 2004-05.

The city of Los Angeles paid $38.6 million, up from $32.4 million.

Tony Bell, spokesman for Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich, said the findings are disconcerting.

"There are unscrupulous attorneys and plaintiffs who are willing to fleece the taxpayers to make a quick buck," Bell said. "Why that really hurts is it pilfers vital resources away from other county services, public safety, libraries and parks."

The report comes as members of the county Board of Supervisors question a decision by County Counsel Ray Fortner to stop releasing details about legal settlements.

Fortner's decision came after attorneys suing the county discovered the documents online and began using the information as leverage during settlement negotiations.

Fortner, who did not return calls for comment Thursday, is expected to report to supervisors about the issue on Tuesday.

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