Iconic California city on brink of financial ruin after being crippled by $230 million sex abuse scandal

Daily Mail ^ | September 14, 2025 | By KELLY GARINO

[artichokegrower]

A once-thriving California city has declared 'fiscal distress' after paying $230 million to victims of a former police staffer involved in a sexual abuse scandal - an expense now pushing the city to the brink of financial ruin.

[artichokegrower]

But city officials say the primary factor pushing Santa Monica toward full-blown collapse is the alleged sexual abuse by former police dispatcher Eric Uller. Uller preyed on children in predominantly Latino neighborhoods of the city, patrolling in either an unmarked police car or a personally owned SUV equipped with police gear, according to court records obtained by The Los Angeles Times.

For decades, Uller also molested dozens of kids while volunteering at the Police Activities League (PAL) - a nonprofit serving underprivileged youth - during the 1980s and 1990s.

Uller grievously sexually abused over ninety underprivileged adolescent boys who were participants in a youth serving organization (YSO).

[ChildOfThe60s]

I see he was arrested, but no mention of conviction or sentencing results.

[Mariner]

Santa Monica can afford it.

Make ‘em pay.

[Larry Lucido]

Meh, there are enough rich folks living there to pay the tab. I don’t know what kind of government they have, but elections have consequences.

[eyeamok]

Some of his alleged victims were as young as eight years old and reported being abused for years, as reported by the LA Times.

Who knew what and when did they know it? Shouldn't every last one be PROSECUTED and Stripped of ALL ASSETS down to the clothes in their Prison Cell??

[Carry_Okie]

$2.5MM per kid? The magnitude of the settlement is a typical outrage while Uller should have been executed.

[TexasGator]

[Iron Munro]

[TexasGator]

“I see he was arrested, but no mention of conviction or sentencing results.”

In the article.

[pepsi_junkie]

Did anyone report it? Did the police ignore it?

If not, still going to be a big financial blow, but if a coverup went on and it can be proven, some will go to jail along with the dirty pedo cop. Or should at least.

[pepsi_junkie]

Many costs have come out of the city’s own pocket because of a $1 million deductible on some insurance policies, and the city has now sued some insurers to recover part of those funds.

I don't think insurance policies to cover the cost of damages due to government crooks - especially pedos - should be allowed. Maybe knowing that one corrupt a-hole could bring a whole city government down would incentivize them all to root out the crooks rather than shrugging and looking the other way.

[Jacquerie]

That and lots more in the article you didn’t read.

[Liz]

Former police dispatcher Eric Uller preyed on children in predominantly Latino neighborhoods, patrolling in either an unmarked police car or a personally owned SUV equipped with police gear, according to court records obtained by The LA Times.

[ComputerGuy]

...For decades, Uller also molested dozens of kids...

HITH does this not get reported and acted upon?

[PAR35]

Illegals are afraid to call the cops and draw attention to themselves.

[artichokegrower]

The big issue here in California is adults getting involved in student or youth groups that focus on sexuality. The local middle and high schools have the Gay Straight Alliance, GLESN, pride day, pride month, pride flag. It brings adults and children together to focus on sexuality. What could go wrong

[ChildOfThe60s]

Doggone it I missed that one line somehow and I went over it twice so that I wouldn’t look stupid when I asked LOL

[ChildOfThe60s]

No need to be snarky. I read it and I missed the line. Crime of the century here right?

[sphinx]

Yup. Execute the perp, but excessive civil penalties — rarely paid by the perp, but rather by some third party deep pocket — are abusive. Apart from fueling the trial lawyers’ shakedown rackets, they’ve been weaponized for lawfare. In this instance, taxpayers will end up on the hook, along with residents who will see an erosion of city services.

[Trump_Triumphant]

You can’t trust anybody any more.