Laura Owens, daughter of San Francisco radio personality Ronn Owens, has pleaded guilty to charges stemming from a pregnancy scam involving former Bachelor star Clayton Echard. The 35-year-old admitted to defrauding Echard and an ex-boyfriend, Gregory Gillespie, as part of a plea deal that saw ten of her fourteen felony charges dismissed.
Guilty Plea in Fraudulent Scheme
On Friday, Owens entered a guilty plea to two counts of fraudulent schemes and artifices, one count of perjury, and one count of taking the identity of another. These convictions are the result of allegations that she falsely claimed to be pregnant with twins by Echard, a contestant from Season 26 of the reality show “The Bachelor.” The plea agreement addresses fraudulent activities that allegedly occurred between May 2023 and June 2024.
Owens faces a sentencing hearing on October 23. While the fraudulent schemes and identity theft charges carry potential probation or up to 12.5 years in prison, the perjury and remaining fraud charges are eligible for probation.
Allegations Against Clayton Echard
The case against Echard began in August 2023 when Owens filed a paternity petition in Arizona, accusing the reality star of fathering her twins following a one-night stand. Echard, 33, has consistently denied having intercourse with Owens, though he acknowledged romantic contact. Prosecutors alleged that Owens presented a doctored sonogram and a fabricated pregnancy video as evidence.
Echard, who now works as a realtor, stated that Owens’s claims significantly disrupted his life. He described Owens as becoming “obsessed” after their brief romantic encounter, leading to the alleged falsification of her pregnancy. He expressed feeling “vindicated” when prosecutors filed charges against her in May. Echard recounted that Owens initially contacted him on LinkedIn in May 2023, ostensibly for professional reasons, but their interaction quickly turned flirtatious, leading to a consensual encounter at his apartment.
According to Echard, a “switch flipped” when he indicated he was not interested in pursuing a relationship after their night together. He claims Owens then began sending him numerous emails daily, sent process servers to his workplace, and attempted to have his real estate license revoked. Echard also alleged that Owens presented him with a positive pregnancy test, which he suspected was faked using HCG, a hormone sometimes used in veterinary medicine.
Echard’s attorney, Gregg Woodnick, commented on the plea, stating, “Ms. Owens’s admission of guilt today is a step in the right direction towards acknowledging the significant harm that her crimes caused her victims and the community.” Woodnick also expressed gratitude to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office for their work on the case.
Charges Related to Ex-Boyfriend
In addition to the allegations involving Echard, Owens faced charges concerning her former boyfriend, Gregory Gillespie. The connection to Gillespie reportedly arose when both parties discovered they shared the same family law attorney.
Background and Previous Claims
Owens was initially indicted in May on felony charges including fraud, forgery, and perjury. Following her court appearance on Friday, she reportedly dropped her lawsuit against Echard, claiming a miscarriage. Her defense has previously suggested that her mother, January Black, may have influenced her actions. Black, however, has maintained her daughter’s pregnancy was real and asserted that Laura had been unfairly targeted and “tormented” online.
Echard, reflecting on the experience, stated he feels he has “stumbled across one of the most crazy individuals” he has ever met and is focused on moving forward with his real estate career and personal life, including his new hobby of dancing.
Conclusion
Laura Owens’s guilty plea marks a significant development in the legal proceedings involving alleged pregnancy scams. The case highlights the complexities of relationships and the severe consequences of fraudulent actions, with her sentencing scheduled for late October.
