For years, Los Angeles has relied on a city ordinance to take unhoused people’s belongings—sometimes everything they own—and throw it away.

In 2019, LAFLA and our pro bono partners Kirkland & Ellis, McGuireWoods, Schonbrun Seplow Harris Hoffman & Zeldes and the Human Rights Litigation Clinic at UCLA School of Law were proud to represent Ktown for All and seven unhoused residents fought back by challenging the destruction of their belongings in the only forum available to them, the federal court.

Now, in the midst of a court-ordered forensic investigation, the federal judge in the case has found that the City altered, created, and failed to produce reports related to encampment sweeps—key evidence about the most fundamental facts in the case.

The litigation team in Garcia v. Los Angeles has issued this statement:

“We are pleased the Court ordered an investigation into the City’s practices. We look forward to concluding the forensic examination and getting back to court, so we can finally put a stop to the City’s unlawful conduct and achieve well deserved justice for our clients.”

Read more in the Los Angeles Times here.

Read the court’s order finding spoliation by the City here.