California Attorney General Bonta Faces Scrutiny for Lack of Transparency on Legal Losses and Settlements
California Attorney General Rob Bonta is facing criticism for his office's lack of transparency regarding legal losses and settlements that cost the state millions of dollars. While Bonta frequently promotes his office's achievements, he rarely acknowledges setbacks or outright defeats in court. Instead, the state relies on "claims bills," legislation drafted by his office and often passed with minimal debate, to appropriate state funds to pay those who have won cases against the state or settled with it. The current claims bill, awaiting final approval, proposes to allocate $7.4 million to settle eight cases. Four of these cases successfully challenged California's gun control laws, including those related to concealed weapons permits and restrictions on marketing firearms-related products to youths, with winners arguing free speech violations. 
