Were You a Victim of Sexual Abuse by Eric Uller at the Police Activities League in Santa Monica?

Cases involving sexual abuse in schools and youth programs lead to devastating consequences, including permanent emotional and psychological trauma. When institutions such as the Police Activities League in Santa Monica fail to investigate and act on allegations, they enable these damaging cycles of abuse to carry on. Were you a victim of sexual abuse by Eric Uller at the Police Activities League in Santa Monica? If yes, you may have grounds to take legal action.

Understanding the Case Against Eric Uller

Eric Uller was a Santa Monica Police Department civilian employee and longtime volunteer at the Police Activities League. He was accused of sexually abusing over 200 children from the 1980s through the early 2000s. By leveraging his authority and the children’s trust in law enforcement, Uller was able to get access to young boys and abuse them. Many of these young children were Latino boys from vulnerable socioeconomic backgrounds.

Charges and Allegations Surrounding Eric Uller’s Case

Eric Uller was arrested in 2018 and charged with multiple counts of lewd acts with a minor. According to statements from survivors and documents from the courts, he was posing as a police officer when carrying out acts of abuse. He would drive his victims around in unmarked police cars. A common tactic of his was to bribe or groom his victims, giving them sports tickets, food, money, and other gifts.

His tactics involved bringing the children to his father’s medical office. He would pretend to offer “physical exams” for sports, using this as a pretext to sexually abuse these children. Notably, Uller would go after undocumented children, threatening his victims with deportation to scare them into silence.

Despite the overwhelming evidence against Eric Uller, he committed suicide before he could be tried in a court of law. This left his victims’ cases hanging, as they were denied the chance to see him face justice.

The Culpability of the City of Santa Monica and PAL Administrators

Eric Uller could not have carried out his atrocious and systematic abuse if the city of Santa Monica and PAL administrators had not ignored various reports of suspicious behavior for decades. Notably, from 1991 to 1993, a Santa Monica police sergeant looked into Uller’s behavior with a minor but chose to take no action.

In 1995, a PAL employee reported an incident where a child said Uller offered to “clean his penis.” Instead of the PAL looking into the case, the reporting employee faced retaliation from their boss. In the early 2000s, some Santa Monica police officers found child pornography on Uller’s work computer. Despite this, he continued to be employed and was still allowed to work with children.

Although there were various reports from PAL staff and officers, the city and law enforcement continued to shield Uller. Due to this, in 2023, Santa Monica agreed to a settlement with more than 200 victims for roughly $230 million. Although this was one of the largest payouts for a single perpetrator of sexual abuse in California, no criminal charges were brought forward for enabling Uller’s abuse, and no one was terminated as a result.

FAQs

Can Victims of Eric Uller Still Take Legal Action?

Yes, if you were a victim of sexual abuse by Eric Uller at the Police Activities League in Santa Monica, you can still file a claim. A skilled attorney can determine whether you have legal grounds under the California Child Victims Act to bring forward a case against the City of Santa Monica and other responsible entities. This piece of legislation extends the statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse cases.

What Is the California Child Victims Act, and How Does It Help Victims?

Assembly Bill 218, or the California Child Victims Act, enables the survivors of childhood sexual abuse to come forward with their cases and pursue legal justice. They could not do this before due to the state’s stringent statute of limitations. This law extends the statute of limitations until the victim turns 40 or five years from when they discovered the impact of their abuse. This allows cases of abuse that occurred even decades ago to be brought to justice.

Can the City of Santa Monica Be Held Liable for Eric Uller’s Abuse?

Yes, it is possible to hold the city of Santa Monica and the Police Activities League liable for the abuse carried out by Eric Uller, depending on the details of your case. For example, if you or your loved one suffered abuse at the hands of Uller due to the city’s failure to adequately supervise his interactions with children, this could be grounds for a claim. Furthermore, if the city or the PAL dismissed complaints about his actions or allowed him to work with children despite red flags, you could file a claim against these entities.

What Compensation Can Survivors Seek in a Claim?

In a claim, survivors can seek compensation for pain and suffering, emotional distress, the cost of therapy, and, in cases of gross negligence, punitive damages. A detail-oriented attorney can work closely with you to determine whether you have a claim for your sexual abuse case involving Eric Uller. They can also inform you of the various forms of compensation you may be entitled to.

What Should Survivors Do If They Want to Come Forward?

If you have suffered from abuse by Eric Uller, it is highly encouraged that you work with an empathetic legal professional. They can understand your concerns, case details, and goals for justice. They can then explore your rights and legal options. Your attorney can also collect crucial evidence, such as witness statements, personal testimony, and records from the past.

Finally, they can make sure your civil claim is filed before your statute of limitations expires.

Bring Justice to Your Sexual Abuse Case Involving Eric Uller

If you or a loved one was a victim of sexual abuse by Eric Uller at the Police Activities League in Santa Monica, a skilled and empathetic attorney from DeMarco Law Firm can help you find justice and a sense of closure. We are eager to discuss your case details with you in a sensitive and confidential manner. Once we learn your concerns and goals, our team can move forward with an optimal legal strategy. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help.