LA County Sued Over $2M Payout to Outgoing CEO

Lawsuit claims the payout to Fesia Davenport was an illegal "gift of public funds"

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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A new lawsuit alleges that the LA County Board of Supervisors secretly approved a $2 million payout to outgoing county CEO Fesia Davenport, which the suit claims was an illegal "gift of public funds" and a violation of the California constitution. The payout was supposedly to compensate Davenport for "alleged damage to reputation, embarrassment, and emotional distress" after voters passed a ballot measure to make her position elected starting in 2028.

Why it matters

The lawsuit raises concerns about government transparency and accountability, as the payout was reportedly approved in a secret backroom deal. It also highlights tensions between county leadership and public sector unions, who are outraged that Davenport received a multi-million dollar payout while claiming there was no money for worker raises.

The details

The lawsuit was filed on behalf of county resident Ana Cristina Lee Escudero and claims the $2 million payout is a violation of the California constitution. According to the filing, Davenport's claims of "damage to reputation" were "baseless" since she had previously informed the Board of Supervisors in writing that she had "no intentions of litigating this matter". The county has hired a private attorney to defend the deal, who dismissed the lawsuit as "baseless" and claimed the payout served a "legitimate public purpose" by preventing potential litigation.

  • In 2024, Davenport informed the Board of Supervisors in writing that she had no plans to litigate the matter.
  • In 2026, the $2 million payout to Davenport was quietly approved in a secret meeting and kept under wraps until it was uncovered by LAist.

The players

Fesia Davenport

The outgoing CEO of Los Angeles County who received a $2 million payout that is now the subject of a lawsuit.

Ana Cristina Lee Escudero

A Los Angeles County resident who filed the lawsuit on behalf of taxpayers challenging the $2 million payout to Davenport.

LA County Board of Supervisors

The governing body of Los Angeles County that reportedly approved the $2 million payout to Davenport in a secret backroom deal.

Anthony Meraz

A deputy sheriff and vice president of the sheriff's deputies' union, who criticized the payout as "substantial money at a time where the county is claiming economic and financial distress".

David Green

The president of SEIU 721, a union representing tens of thousands of county government employees, who said their members are "really furious" about the payout.

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What they’re saying

“Leaders eat last. The idea behind being in charge is that you are supposed to be taking care of people that are in your charge.”

— Anthony Meraz, Deputy Sheriff and Vice President of the Sheriff's Deputies' Union (LAist)

“Our members are really furious about it.”

— David Green, President of SEIU 721 (LAist)

What’s next

The lawsuit asks a judge to force Davenport to return the $2 million payout to taxpayers.

The takeaway

This case highlights concerns about government transparency and the use of public funds, as well as the growing tensions between county leadership and public sector unions over issues like executive compensation and worker pay.