Suspended Assessor Paul Petersen Due In Maricopa County Superior Court On Tuesday

Published: Monday, November 4, 2019 - 1:20pm
Updated: Monday, November 4, 2019 - 1:47pm
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Maricopa County Sheriff's Office
Paul Petersen

Paul Petersen is scheduled to appear in Maricopa County Superior Court on Tuesday morning.

The Arizona criminal case against Petersen includes accusations of fraud, forgery and theft from the state’s Medicaid system.

Defense lawyer Kurt Altman said Petersen will plead not guilty to more than 30 felonies brought by a grand jury.

Attorney General Mark Brnovich has said Petersen ripped off taxpayers to cover medical costs for pregnant women from the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

→ Maricopa County Board Of Supervisors Choose Fill-In For Petersen

Petersen is accused of running an illegal adoption ring in which he allegedly offered women money to give up their babies. He also faces charges in Utah and Arkansas.

Petersen recently was released from federal custody after roughly three weeks in jail.

Petersen has been suspended as Maricopa County Assessor until late February. But he can appeal the decision before Friday.

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