Summary
Richard McClung was a Mormon bishopric counselor in the Rockford, Illinois area in the 2000s.
McClung was charged with child sexual abuse in 2006 and convicted in 2007.
He was charged again in 2011 and convicted in 2014 on separate charges related to sexual abuse of another child.
In a 2025 civil lawsuit, a woman sued the Mormon church and McClung, saying the church failed to protect her from McClung and that a bishop dismissed her report of abuse.
The complaint alleged that:
– McClung, a Second Counselor to the Bishop at the LDS Church, sexually abused the plaintiff when she was eight years old in 2006, using his position of authority to gain access to her.
– The abuse included rape at McClung’s home and subsequent incidents of molestation at church events on church property.
– At the time of the alleged abuse in October 2006, McClung had recently been criminally charged with abusing another minor girl, but had not been released from his bishopric duties.
– McClung threatened the victim to keep the abuse secret or he would harm or kill her mother.
– Despite McClung being charged with child sexual abuse in 2006, the LDS Church allegedly did not take adequate steps to protect children, allowing him to retain his leadership role.
– The plaintiff repressed her memories until 2012 when seeing McClung at a church event triggered her recollection of the abuse.
– After sharing her experience with a friend who had also been abused by McClung, the abuse was reported to their parents and to the police.
– The church’s response was inadequate, with a focus on the plaintiff needing to forgive McClung rather than on her protection or recovery.
– When the plaintiff went to the bishop to discuss the abuse, instead of prioritizing her safety, the bishop allegedly admonished her for not forgiving Richard McClung, the perpetrator.
– The bishop cut her off from sharing her traumatic memories and told her she needed to forgive McClung.
– She was also told she needed to repent “for not being able to forgive” McClung.
– The bishop did nothing to help her following this meeting, which further compounded her psychological trauma.
– The lawsuit claimed the LDS Church benefited from and was complicit in the abuse of children.
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Alleged coverup- Criminal: Convicted, Found guilty, Prison, Registered sex offender,
- Civil: Lawsuit v. LDS church, Ongoing,
- Positions: Bishopric counselor,
- During crime: Bishopric counselor,
- When accused: Bishopric counselor,
- Crime: 2000s, 2010s, in Illinois,
- Convicted: 2000s, 2007,
- Crime scenes: LDS activity, LDS building, Perpetrator's home,
- Victims: 3 victims, Multiple victims, Unknown number of victims,
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Born: 1943
- Mission: unknown
- Locations: Illinois,
Sources
- Child Sex Offender Information (as of 2/13/2025),
- Man gets three years for 2007 sex abuse,
- PETERSON v. THE CHURCH OF THE LATTER- DAY SAINTS et al,
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1. Child Sex Offender Information (as of 2/13/2025)
Child Sex Offender Information (as of 2/13/2025)
Status:
Compliant
Name:
MCCLUNG, RICHARD CLARKE
Alias Name(s):
MCCLUNG, RICHARD C
MCCLUNG, RICHARD
Date of Birth:
1/24/1943
Alias DoB(s):
Height:
5'10"
Weight:
165 lbs.
Sex:
M
Race:
W
Address:
[redacted by FLOODLIT]
ROCKFORD, IL 61108
Registering Agency:
WINNEBAGO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
Original Registration Date:
9/20/2007
Recent Registration Date:
4/5/2024
Duration of Registration:
Lifetime Registrant
Crime InformationSexual PredatorOpens in new window
VICTIM WAS 06 YEARS OF AGE
OFFENDER WAS 63 AT THE TIME OF THE OFFENSE
Crimes:
AGGRAVATED CRIMINAL SEXUAL ABUSE/VICTIM <9 AGGRAVATED CRIMINAL SEXUAL ABUSE/VICTIM <13 County of Conviction: Winnebago -
2. Man gets three years for 2007 sex abuse
ROCKFORD — Chief Judge Joseph McGraw on Wednesday sentenced Richard McClung, 71, of Rockford, to three years in prison for the aggravated sexual abuse of a child.
McClung was arrested by Winnebago County Sheriff’s Police officers in 2011 after a child told authorities that McClung had sexually abused her in August 2007 when she was 8 years old. The girl is now a teenager, Winnebago County State’s Attorney Joe Bruscato said in a news release.
A jury in September found McClung not guilty of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child and related charges. But it found McClung guilty of sexual abuse, a lesser charge, after a short trial.
McClung had previously been convicted for the September 2006 criminal sexual abuse of a 6-year-old girl and was sentenced to probation and counseling.
Aggravated criminal sexual abuse is a Class 2 felony punishable by a sentence of probation or three to seven years in prison and lifetime registration as a sex offender.
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3. PETERSON v. THE CHURCH OF THE LATTER- DAY SAINTS et al
[FLOODLIT has a copy of the complaint.]
Documents
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