More than 40 sheriff's reserve badges handed out by Michael S. Carona are reported missing

Others on the list include prominent developer Michael Harrah; father-son hotel developers who hosted a lavish fundraiser for Carona; the owner of a popular Italian restaurant where Carona regularly held court; and the operator of the swap meet at the Orange County Fair and Event Center, where Carona's wife serves on the governing board.

The names of 42 so-called Professional Service Responders were obtained Thursday by The Times under a public records request. The Sheriff's Department did not immediately release the stolen and lost property reports filed by these reserves, withholding them until certain personal information had been redacted.

Schroeder is one of the most prominent Carona allies on the roster. He contributed $3,200 to the ex-sheriff's campaigns and became a reserve in 2000. A longtime political operative in Orange County, he has helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for powerful Republicans, including Carona and Orange County Dist. Atty. Tony Rackauckas.

Schroeder reported his first badge missing in January 2002, saying it might have been taken from his coat while he was at a barber shop, according to sheriff's spokesman John McDonald. Schroeder was issued a new badge and lost that one in June 2007. McDonald said that he did not know the explanation for the second loss, but that Schroeder was not issued a third badge.

Schroeder is in China for the Summer Olympics and could not be reached for comment.

The Professional Service Responder ranks have long been riddled by controversy. Carona created the special category of reserves shortly after he took office nine years ago and filled it with some of the county's richest and most powerful residents. Many are also campaign contributors, leading to allegations that Carona was doling out badges to allies.

Carona, who resigned in January and is facing trial on federal corruption charges, has denied handing out badges as political favors. But former Assistant Sheriff Don Haidl has told federal agents that Carona gave badges to dozens of people in exchange for $1,000 donations to his first campaign in 1998.