California city to pay $42.6 million to settle sex-abuse claims against ex-employee

Santa Monica will pay out $42.6 million to 24 people who sued the city, alleging it did not protect them from child sexual abuse by a former employee and volunteer, local media report.

The city this week settled claims that former volunteer and employee Eric Uller sexually abused boys between 1987 and 1999, the Santa Monica Daily Press reported. An additional claim was filed by a woman who was abused by volunteer Fernando Ortega, the news outlet reported.

Uller worked for the Santa Monica Police Department’s technology department, the Los Angeles Times reported. He was also a volunteer in the Police Activities League in the ‘80s, according to the newspaper. Ortega was also a volunteer in the Police Activities League.

In 2018, Uller was charged with molesting four boys and died by suicide shortly after, the Los Angeles Times reported. His victims said Uller groomed them by taking them to meals and driving them home, according to the Santa Monica Daily Press. Uller took his victims to his father’s medical officers and molested them, saying he was “performing physicals,” according to the outlet.

Ortega’s victim said he sexually assaulted her several times, according to the Santa Monica Daily Press.

A total of $38 million will be given to 19 individuals and $4.6 million will be paid to the city to settle five additional cases, according to the Santa Monica Lookout.

“These are lifelong neighbors and dear friends,” council member Ana Jara said, according to the Lookout. “To these men, thank you for being brave and coming forward, not only for yourself but for standing up for others.”