Fesia Davenport, the Los Angeles County Chief Executive Officer, has quietly accepted a $2 million taxpayer‑funded settlement over alleged “embarrassment and emotional distress” tied to her work — all secured under the veil of confidentiality.
The agreement, inked in August but approved by the County’s Board of Supervisors in a closed session on July 29, demands that the deal remain “strictly private and confidential,” with only limited exceptions. In exchange for the payout, Davenport relinquished any right to sue the county over prior disputes or related matters. Neither side admitted fault in the deal.
Records show that Davenport pursued damages connected to claims that her reputation had been harmed, citing “embarrassment and emotional distress.” The details of the allegations remain vague, though the settlement also requires Davenport to refrain from disparaging the Board of Supervisors or associated county officials, except under certain legal exceptions.
What raised eyebrows: the decision to route such a large payout through a secret process. Under county policy, settlements above $100,000 typically require public disclosure — a step that was bypassed in this case. County legal counsel defended the lack of public disclosure by pointing out that the CEO had not formally accepted terms when the Board approved them. Critics, including a public records attorney, counter that transparency is vital when using taxpayer funds for such deals.
Davenport, who has led the county since January 2021 and oversees a sprawling $50 billion-plus budget along with many county departments, later announced an unspecified medical leave — a move she claims is unrelated to the settlement.
As the community grapples with the revelation, key questions remain unanswered: What precisely did Davenport claim? Was it proper to shield such a large payout from scrutiny? And will procedures change so public officials can’t quietly settle large sums with minimal transparency?
