The Anchorage Assembly on Tuesday approved $100,000 for an outside law firm to defend the city against civil lawsuits relating to the case of former Anchorage police officer Anthony Rollins. Rollins was convicted of sexually assaulting five women while on the job. The city has hired the firm of Clapp, Peterson, Tiemessen, Thorsness and Johnson Law Offices to defend it.

There are 10 active civil cases, said city attorney Dennis Wheeler. An 11th case was settled, he said, and participants in one of the 10 cases are in settlement talks.

The $100,000 is on top of $30,000 already set aside for the firm. A memo from the mayor said the first $30,000 "will soon be exhausted."

The Assembly OK'd the additional money on a 6-5 vote.