Tuesday, July 13, 1999 | 11:53 a.m.
In 1983 a Las Vegas advertising man was convicted of indecent exposure involving his daughter and three of her girlfriends.
On Monday as Randall Gaess pleaded guilty to another round of sexual molestation charges involving children, the three friends sat in the rear of District Judge Michael Douglas' courtroom.
The trio had been prepared to testify about the 53-year-old defendant's past improprieties, but he chose instead to accept a plea bargain and plead guilty to counts of lewdness with a minor, attempted lewdness and felony indecent exposure.
The current victims were sisters ages 9 and 12 when the incidents, which lasted two years, began in January 1996, according to court records.
Gaess faces up to 34 years in prison when he is sentenced Sept. 20, but he could receive probation if a psychological evaluation determines he is not a threat to the health or morals of the public.
In the current case, according to Deputy District Attorney Teresa Lowry, Gaess was having an affair with the girls' married mother, and the older girl was allowed to watch and was told she could participate with them when she was older.
Gaess, who was a television spokesman for furniture companies and other businesses when he ran an advertising agency, admitted he had fondled the older girl.
He told the judge he exposed himself to the younger girl.
While the girls' mother is alleged to have been a participant in the criminal activities, Lowry said she has fled to England.
Defense attorney Gregory Denue said Gaess lost his advertising career as a result of the criminal charges and currently is driving a taxi.
In the Carson City case, Lowry said Gaess took Polaroid pictures of himself having sex with his wife and those photos were shown to their daughter and the three other girls.
Gaess is free on bail pending his sentencing.
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