Santa Monica poised to declare fiscal emergency; payouts to sex abuse victims cited

Santa Monica city leaders are being asked to declare a fiscal emergency due to the city’s ongoing budget crisis, according to a city agenda. A staff report for Tuesday’s City Council agenda cites several challenges, including legal payouts related to a notorious alleged sexual abuser who worked for the city. The city has paid out more than $229 million in settlements relating to sexual abuse by Eric Uller, a former Santa Monica police dispatcher. The city faces additional abuse claims from over 180 claimants, according to the report. Uller worked with boys and girls at a police nonprofit’s after-school program....