Former coach to be arraigned

Mike Swanson

A former water polo coach at Laguna Beach High School, on paid

administrative leave since September, will be arraigned Nov. 19 on

felony charges of statutory rape.

Rick Scott, 39, is accused of having sex with a team member on two

occasions between September 2000 and April 2002, Deputy District

Atty. Susan Schroeder said. The girl was 17 in 2002.

Laguna Beach police concluded an investigation that began in

December 2002 and didn’t arrest Scott, who has acknowledged that he

will appear in court, Schroeder said.

Scott, a two-time CIF water polo coach of the year, coached the

boys’ and girls’ team and taught at Thurston Middle School.

Dave Larsen, attorney for the school district, said it’s mandatory

for the district to place any employee charged with having sex with a

minor on paid administrative leave. It’s uncertain how long Scott

will be on leave, Larsen said, but his credential has been suspended.

The victim, who is now an adult, was initially uncooperative with

authorities, but has recently started talking more about the case,

police said.

Scott will be ordered to the police station for booking after the

arraignment, Laguna Beach Police Capt. Danell Adams said, but he’ll

likely be released on his own recognizance until his next court date.