Did a Cover-up Benefit MacLean?

On Feb. 9 at 12:36 p.m., OC Weekly received an Internet post revealing critical allegations about ex-councilman Lance MacLean’s history of violence. Even without knowledge of information in the post, Mission Viejo voters recalled MacLean in the Feb. 2 Special Election.

The OC Weekly post can be found at http://blogs.ocweekly.com/navelgazing/breaking-news/ousted-mission-viejo-mayor-ask/ The claim of a cover-up of MacLean’s domestic violence can be read in comment No. 12. The post can also be found in this week’s Buzz column. The post asks why MacLean’s alleged attack on his own family was kept hidden. Ironically, MacLean claimed those wanting to recall him were "hurting" his family.

The new allegations add to reasons MacLean should have voluntarily given up his council seat instead of putting voters through the process of recalling him. Instead, MacLean refused to resign and then decried the cost of the recall election.

Assault and battery charges against MacLean were dropped after he attacked a UCI employee in 2007. A conviction for such charges can carry a jail sentence of up to six months. MacLean, an alleged first-time offender, was instead sentenced to anger management classes. When an OC Register reporter discovered court records in 2008 and asked MacLean about the charges, MacLean lied about his age and middle name in an attempt to avoid publicity.

The Association of Orange County Deputy Sheriffs spent approximately $105,000 campaigning against MacLean’s recall. AOCDS President Wayne Quint publicly stated that his union launched its anti-recall effort because he thought the cost of $270,000 for a Special Election was unreasonable.

But, was it reasonable for anyone in law enforcement to give a pass to an elected official with a history of violence? After 30 days of the incident, citizens are denied access to police records about MacLean’s domestic violence, but OCSD officials, such as Quint’s union members, have access.

Following his Feb. 2 recall, MacLean threatened to sue the District Attorney, Registrar of Voters and the city of Mission Viejo, and he demanded a recount of votes. Within five hours of the Feb. 9 OC Weekly post, MacLean canceled the recount. He then issued a conciliatory press release stating he wants everyone to begin the “healing” process.

After a week of verbal attacks and threats from MacLean following the Feb. 2 election, was it a coincidence his tone abruptly changed when the OC Weekly post came to light?