With the charred remains found at the Big Bear cabin being positively identified as Chris Dorner's, the question remains, what is the fate of the promised $1 million reward offered up by L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.
Unlike the initial $100,000 reward that was offered by the L.A. City Council that is subject to clear government code section on the offering and payment of rewards, the $1 million reward offer was more of a "private" cobbling of business and union groups that had pledged funds to satisfy the reward in the event it was ever paid out. It is my understanding that these various groups made these pledges on different conditions. Some groups pledged funds under the understanding that it would be applied in the same manner as city rewards, which are paid out only after "capture and conviction." However, other groups made pledges attached with additional conditions--requiring that the funds not go to Dorner's mother, or to an accomplice.
In short, each pledgor is under a different obligation to furnish the award funds. Legally, it appears that there is likely no obligation for the donors to actually transfer funds. However, politically, it would be difficult for a larger corporation to retain funds in the face of public outcry.
Time will only tell.
