New Criminal Case Number: CR 2025-007905-001
Initial criminal case number: CR 2025 006831-001
Laura Michelle Owens of Scottsdale, Arizona has been indicted on 14 felony counts stemming from fraudulent and illegal activity in her interactions with victims Clayton Echard and Greg Gillespie. The initial case (CR2025 006831-001) included 7 felony counts (May 6, 2025). A new, superseding case has been file by the State (CR 2025-007905-001) (November 6, 2025) that reissues the initial 7 charges and adds 7 more:
- COUNT 1: FRAUDULENT SCHEMES AND ARTIFICES, A CLASS 2 FELONY
- COUNT 2: FORGERY, A CLASS 4 FELONY
- COUNT 3: PERJURY, A CLASS 4 FELONY
- COUNT 4: PERJURY, A CLASS 4 FELONY
- COUNT 5: PERJURY, A CLASS 4 FELONY
- COUNT 6: PERJURY, A CLASS 4 FELONY
- COUNT 7: TAMPERING WITH PHYSICAL EVIDENCE, A CLASS 6 FELONY
- COUNT 8: PERJURY, A CLASS 4 FELONY
- COUNT 9: FRAUDULENT SCHEMES AND ARTIFICES, A CLASS 2 FELONY
- COUNT 10: TAKING THE IDENTITY OF ANOTHER, A CLASS 4 FELONY
- COUNT 11: FORGERY, A CLASS 4 FELONY
- COUNT 12: THEFT BY EXTORT-ACCUSE OF CRIM, A CLASS 4 FELONY
- COUNT 13: FORGERY, A CLASS 4 FELONY
- COUNT 14: TAKING THE IDENTITY OF ANOTHER, A CLASS 4 FELONY
According to the criminal court docket, Laura’s trial has been pushed back from the original date of January 22, 2026 to July 29, 2026.
On May 28, 2025, Josh Kolsrud and Sandra Schutz of Kolsrud Law entered a Notice of Appearance on behalf of Laura Owens and represented her, via stand-in attorney Matthew Smiley, at her May 29th Arraignment, where Laura pled Not Guilty.
Kolsrud filed a Motion to Withdraw as Attorney on November 17, 2025. Laura owes Kolsrud Law around $10,000 for their work in this case.
During Kolsrud’s representation of Laura, she applied for and was granted indigency status. (August 28 and September 4, respectively).
Laura was then assigned Public Defender Jeffrey Swierski (November 18). Mr. Swierski represented Laura for the next few months, mostly writing motions requesting out-of-state travel on be half of Laura.
On February 25, 2026, Laura was offered a plea deal by the State. Within a week, Mr. Swierski was stunningly replaced by private attorney Christian Lueders of Guardian Law Group (March 3). This move came as a shock, as Mr. Lueders charges money for representation and is not a public defender.
2025
- December 2 | 9:00AM MT | Arraignment Hearing (CR2025-007905)
2026
- January 21 | 8:15AM MT | Initial Pretrial Conference | Commissioner Popko
- February 25 | 9:00AM MT | Comprehensive Pretrial Conference
- July 22 | 9:00AM MT | Final Trial Management Conference
- July 29 | 9:00AM MT | Trial Assignment Date
All available court documents can be found here
NEWS COVERAGE
ARTICLES
- NBC National News Video Interview: ‘Bachelor’ star Clayton Echard speaks out about alleged fake paternity claims (link)
- NBC News: Arizona woman faked pregnancy with ‘Bachelor’ star by fabricating ultrasound, officials say (link)
- 12 News Story + Interview: Clayton Echard felt “relief” when woman who took him to court for paternity case was indicted (link)
- Court TV: ‘Bachelor’ Clayton Echard’s accuser indicted for paternity scheme | (link)
- 12 News: Clayton interview with Bianca Buono: “Clayton Echard speaks after woman who filed paternity claim against him was indicted” (link)
- FOX 10 Phoenix – Full video: Clayton Echard, former Bachelor, reacts to Laura Owens indictment (link)12 News Phoenix: Laura Owens Indicted for Fraud, Other Charges for Falsely Accusing Former ‘Bachelor’ Star of Getting Her Pregnant (link)
- 12 News Phoenix: Laura Owens Indicted for Fraud, Other Charges for Falsely Accusing Former ‘Bachelor’ Star of Getting Her Pregnant (link)
- AZ Central: “Scottsdale ‘Bachelor’ accuser indicted on fraud charges after claiming pregnancy” (link)
- SF Chronicle: Bay Area radio legend’s daughter indicted in ‘Bachelor’ paternity scandal (link)
- Fox 10 Phoenix: Woman indicted after claiming former Bachelor, Clayton Echard, got her pregnant, MCAO says (link)
- PJ Media: Laura Owens Indicted on 7 Felony Counts for Targeting ‘Bachelor’ Star in Fake Pregnancy Scheme | Megan Fox (link)
- The Mercury News: Ronn Owens’ daughter indicted in alleged ‘Bachelor’ paternity fraud (link)
- Muzique Magazine: BREAKING: Laura Owens Indicted for Faking Pregnancy in Alleged Scam Against Former ‘Bachelor’ Star Clayton Echard (link)
- TV Showsace: Clayton Echard Says Justice Is Served, Laura Owens Indicted (link)
- Hoodline: Woman Indicted for Allegedly Falsifying Pregnancy Claim Against “Bachelor” Star Clayton Echard in Maricopa County (link)
- TooFab: Woman Accused of Altering Ultrasound In Paternity Scheme Against Bachelor Clayton Echard (link)
- KTAR News: Laura Owens charged in scheme against ‘Bachelor’ star (link)
- Daily Independent: Woman indicted after accusing Bachelor star of impregnating her – but cops say it was all fake (link)
- Miami Herald: Laura Owens faked pregnancy with ‘Bachelor’ star, officials say She’s indicted (link)
- Today: Woman faked pregnancy with ‘Bachelor’ star Clayton Echard, officials say (link)
- Daily Mail: Media legend’s daughter hit with felony charges after ‘lying that Bachelor star got her pregnant’ (link)
- FOX 2 KTVU: Bay Area radio star’s daughter indicted over alleged paternity fraud against ‘Bachelor’ contestant (link)
- Entertainment Weekly: Former Bachelor Clayton Echard reacts to Laura Owens being indicted over paternity scheme: ‘The nightmare is over’ (link)
- People: Clayton Echard Reacts as His Paternity Suit Accuser Is Indicted on Felony Charges (link)
- The Nerd Stash: Arizona Woman Fakes Pregnancy With Reality TV Star In Wild Attention Grab: ‘Next Level Crazy’ (link)
- SFist: KGO Radio Host Ronn Owens’s Daughter Indicted Over Fake Pregnancy Claims With Former ‘Bachelor’ Star (link)
- News Nation Now: ‘Bachelor’ star Clayton Echard’s accuser charged in paternity scheme (link)
- What’s Trending – Woman INDICTED for Faking Pregnancy and FALSE CLAIMS Against Bachelor’s Clayton Echard (link)
- Daily Express: Bachelor star Clayton Echard speaks out about alleged paternity claims (link)
- Press Reader: Arizona Woman Indicted After ‘Bachelor’ Pregnancy Accusations (link)
- Press Democrat: Bay Area radio legend’s daughter indicted in alleged ‘Bachelor’ paternity fraud (link)
SOCIAL MEDIA
VIDEO COVERAGE
YouTube
- “Bachelor” Fraud Suspect Appears in Court | 12 News (link)
- Breaking: Laura Owens Indicted On Multiple Felony Charges | The Tilted Lawyer (link)
- Fake Baby Scammer Laura Owens INDICTED! Will She Cry “Mental Illness?!” | Lauren Neidigh (link)
- Karen Read Retrial Recaps = Day 10 It’s Snowing | Runkle Of The Bailey (Owens coverage included) (link)
- BREAKING NEWS! Bachelor Clayton’s Accuser Laura Owens CHARGED with 8 Felonies! We Did It! | Dave Neal (link)
- Reading: Laura Michelle Owens Indictment | May 6, 2025 | The State of Arizona vs. Laura Owens | SchnitzelNinja (link)
- Bachelor Clayton DEFEATS Laura Owens – Charged w/7 COUNTS Of Felony | Megan Fox (link)
- BREAKING: Alleged FELON Laura Owens’ ACCUSES COUNTY ATTORNEY OF MISCONDUCT | Lauren Neidigh (link)
- Laura Owens INCREDIBLY Forges a Path to 33 years in Prison….Role Play with SchnitzelNinja | The Tilted Lawyer (link)
- The Viall Files: Reality Recap (17:45) (link)
- Laura Owens Indicted! – Reality Steve with Rachel Juarez (link)
- Rich Lieberman: Exclusive: Ronn Owens/Jan Black Deny GFM Cash Used To Pay Lawyer in Daughter’s Legal Woes (link)
TikTok
True Crime Mama recaps the Owens v Echard case + indictment (link)
DOCUMENTS
New Criminal Case Number: CR 2025-007905-001
Initial criminal case number: CR2025 006831-001
2025
- April 29: Original Investigation Form + Report
- May 1: True Bill + Summons
- May 6: Laura Owens Indictment: Charges 1-7
- May 12: Victim Information Sheet (Clayton Echard)
- May 14:
- May 22: Minute Entry: Courtroom Media Request
- May 29: Minute Entry: Arraignment Hearing- Not Guilty Pleading
- June 11:
- June 17: Return Receipt for the Temporary Removal of Official Court Files Transcripts or Exhibits Pursuant to Maricopa County Local Rule 2.8(e)
- June 25:
- June 27: Release Receipt for Official Court Files Transcripts or Exhibits Pursuant to Maricopa County Local Rule 2.8(e)
- July 1: Minute Entry: Fingerprints Request Granted
- July 9: Motion to Extend Time to File Motion to Remand to Grand Jury
- July 10: Notice of Defenses and Request for Notice of Rebuttal Witnesses
- July 11:
- July 14: Initial Pretrial Conference Minute Entry
- July 18: Motion for Complex Case Designation
- July 23: Order Granting Restriction of Protected Information from Victim Laptop
- July 24: Minute Entry: State’s Motion for Protective Order Granted
- July 30: Minute Entry: Granting 12News’ Request to Film 8/11/25 Hearing
- August 4: Return Receipt for the Temporary Removal of Official Court Files, Transcripts or Exhibits Pursuant to Local Rule 2.8 (e)
- August 11:
- August 28: Request for Declaration of Indigency and to Appoint Investigator and Experts
- September 3: Minute Entry: Granting Travel Request
- September 4: Minute Entry: Granting Indigency Status
- September 16: Motion to Modify Conditions of Release to Allow for Travel
- September 18:
- September 25:
- October 31: Motion to Modify Conditions of Release to Allow Travel Request
- November 5: Summons Receipt by Kolsrud Law
- November 6:
- November 17:
- November 18:
- December 1: Amended State’s Notice of Disclosure and Request for Disclosure
- December 2:
- December 3: Minute Entry: Motion and Order to Dismiss and Quash Warrant or Summons Granted
2026
- January 2: Summons (from November 2025)
- January 13: Motion to Allow Travel
- January 15: Minute Entry: Motion to Allow Travel Granted
- January 20:
- Initial Pretrial Conference Statement
- State’s Allegation of Multiple Offenses not Committed on the Same Occasion Pursuant to A.R.S. 13-703 or A.R.S. 13-70
- State’s Notice of Disclosure and Request for Disclosure
- Request for Automatic and Additional Disclosure Pursuant to Rule 15.1
- Notice of Defenses and Request for Notice of Rebuttal Witnesses
- Motion for Temporary Removal of Official Court Files Transcripts or Exhibits Pursuant to Maricopa County Local Rule 2.8e
- Order for Temporary Removal of Official Court Files Transcripts or Exhibits Pursuant to Maricopa County Local Rule 2.8e
- January 21: Initial Pretrial Conference Minutes
- January 23:
- January 26: Release Receipt for Official Court Files Transcripts of Exhibits Pursuant to Maricopa County Local Rule 2.8e
- January 27: Return Receipt for the Temporary Removal of Official Court Files Transcripts or Exhibits Pursuant to Maricopa County Local Rule 2.8e
- February 4: Request to Allow Travel
- February 6:
- February 19: Request for Defendant and Unsel to Appear Virtually
- February 25:
- March 3: Notice of Stipulated Substitution of Defense Counsel
- March 4: Motion for Temporary Removal of Official Court Files Transcripts and or Exhibits
Scottsdale Police Department
2025
- January 29: Search Warrant – Call for Service | Police Report