Brief

The City Attorney submitted a report requesting closed-session discussion of a settlement agreement in the case of Paulette A. Wilkerson, et al. v. City of Los Angeles, et al. (Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. 23STCV13269). Council adopted a motion by Yaroslavsky and Blumenfield on February 4, 2025, by a vote of 14-0-1, approving the settlement terms. The matter was referred to Budget and Finance Committee and is pending final budgetary authorization.

Full summary

This case stems from a June 30, 2021, illegal fireworks detonation incident near 27th Street in South Los Angeles. Paulette A. Wilkerson and other plaintiffs sued the City of Los Angeles, with the litigation consolidated under Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. 23STCV13269 and tied to three related claims. The City Attorney brought the matter to Council in December 2024, seeking authorization to discuss settlement terms in closed session under the Brown Act's litigation exception. The Budget and Finance Committee reviewed the proposed settlement in closed session on January 21, 2025, and unanimously recommended rejection, with Councilmembers Yaroslavsky, Blumenfield, Hutt, McOsker, and Hernandez all voting yes on that recommendation. The Government Efficiency, Innovation, and Audits Committee waived its consideration. When the full Council took up the matter on February 4, 2025, Councilmembers Yaroslavsky and Blumenfield moved to adopt the committee's recommendation to reject the proposed settlement. The motion passed 14-0-1 and became final the following day. Rejecting a proposed settlement means the City has opted to continue litigating rather than resolve the case on the terms offered. The specific financial terms of the rejected offer were discussed in closed session and are not part of the public record. On May 8, 2026, the City Attorney submitted a new document dated April 23, 2026, which was referred to the Budget and Finance Committee, indicating the litigation is ongoing and that the Council may face further decisions about resolution of the case. The file remains open and pending in committee.

Activity (9)

• 2026-05-08 City Attorney document(s) referred to Budget and Finance Committee.
• 2026-05-08 Document submitted by City Attorney, dated April 23, 2026.
• 2025-02-05 Council action final.
• 2025-02-04 Council adopted Motion (Yaroslavsky - Blumenfield), subject to reconsideration, pursuant to Council Rule 51.
• 2025-01-31 City Clerk scheduled item for Council on February 4, 2025.
• 2025-01-17 Budget and Finance Committee scheduled item for committee meeting on January 21, 2025.
• 2025-01-17 Government Efficiency, Innovation, and Audits Committee waived consideration of item .
• 2024-12-30 City Attorney document(s) referred to Budget and Finance Committee; Government Efficiency, Innovation, and Audits Committee.
• 2024-12-24 Document(s) submitted by City Attorney, as follows:City Attorney report, dated December 6, 2024, relative to a request to discuss in closed session settlement in the case of Paulette A. Wilkerson, et al. v. City of Los Angeles, et al.

Documents (5)

• 2026-04-23 Report from City Attorney · report
• 2025-02-05 Council Action · council_action
• 2025-02-04 Motion (Yaroslavsky - Blumenfield) · motion
• 2025-01-21 Speaker Card(s) · speaker_card
• 2024-12-06 Report from City Attorney · report