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The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office is investigating allegations that false claims of child sexual abuse may have been filed against the county, as it settled thousands of legitimate claims for a total of more than $4 billion.

DA Nathan Hochman announced the opening of the investigation on Wednesday during a news conference, where he said hundreds of claims are being investigated to determine whether fraud occurred.

SANTA BARBARA, Calif (KEYT) - The Franciscan Friars of California has agreed to pay a $20 million dollar settlement to dozens of survivors of clergy child sex abuse, with some cases dating back to the 1940's.

Tim Hale, a Santa Barbara attorney with Nye, Stirling, Hale, Miller & Sweet, currently represents nine of the survivors.

"It's a very positive step in the right direction toward solving this bankruptcy and the claims of the 95 survivors who found the courage to come forward but, it's nowhere near a final resolution," said Hale.

He said cases involving clergy abuse span parishes and churches throughout the county, from Santa Maria to Carpinteria. Most of the accused friars have died. Hale says more than half of the claims "arose in Santa Barbara."

He did not know the exact number of local perpetrators.