Figure in Judge Case Sought in Molestation Conviction

Authorities are searching for Richard J. McLane, a convicted child molester who failed to turn himself in to begin a prison term. McLane’s 1987 case drew attention when he became a key figure in a corruption investigation of two Municipal Court judges.

McLane, 58, was supposed to report to Superior Court in January to begin serving a five-year sentence for his 1987 conviction on two counts of child molestation, four counts of furnishing cocaine to minors and another drug count.

McLane had been free on $10,000 bail, pending an appeal of his conviction, which was denied in November by the 4th District State Court of Appeal. His attorney, Alex J. Forgette, told the court that he has no idea where McLane is and that he last talked to his client after the appellate court refused to overturn the conviction. McLane was living in Arizona at that time, he said.

“I hope I am able to reach him,” Forgette said. “I think he’s making a big mistake. He’s only complicating things for himself.”

Deputy Dist. Atty. Kenneth O. Chinn expressed confidence that McLane will be found: “If he’s stopped for a traffic problem anywhere, and the police run a computer check, they’ll see he is wanted on a nationwide warrant.”

Several prostitutes told Newport Beach and Fullerton police that McLane had promised that he could arrange lenient treatment in Harbor Municipal Court in Newport Beach if they would perform sexual favors for Municipal Judge Calvin P. Schmidt.

Another Harbor Court judge, Brian R. Carter, allegedly called a prostitute and said he was collecting a sexual favor owed to Schmidt, the prostitute told police.

Carter said he is innocent, but he resigned from the bench--in part, he said, to avoid a review from the state Commission on Judicial Performance.

Schmidt was reprimanded by the commission for using his authority to help the daughter of a close friend. But Schmidt was cleared of the allegations by the prostitutes.

The Orange County district attorney’s office conducted an intermittent, four-year inquiry into allegations against both judges. The probe concluded in 1988 with no charges being filed.