Montclair officials and employees are satisfied with a court ruling ordering City Councilmember Ben Lopez to pay $1.35 million in damages in a sexual harassment lawsuit filed against him four years ago, according to City Manager Edward Starr.

On Friday, Dec. 5, San Bernardino Superior Court Judge Kory Mathewson gave a tentative oral ruling in the lawsuit accusing Lopez of sexually harassing two city employees, awarding each plaintiff $350,000 in past damages, plus $50,000 in future damages. Mathewson also awarded the city of Montclair $550,000 in attorneys’ fees and costs, along with future indemnity. The city settled with the two employees for that amount in early 2023.

Starr said city staff and elected officials are happy with the outcome to a years-long legal saga.

“The court’s d

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