Bachelor's Clayton Echard's Scammer Pleads Guilty

Laura Owens has officially admitted guilt in the protracted legal dispute with former Bachelor star Clayton Echard. Owens pleaded guilty on August 28, 2026, to four felony charges, including two counts of fraudulent schemes and artifices, identity theft, and perjury.

The scandal began in 2023 when Owens filed a paternity lawsuit against Echard, claiming he was the father of her twins. Echard, who gained fame from The Bachelorette and later The Bachelor, vehemently denied the allegations.

Court records indicate Owens and Echard had an encounter in Phoenix, Arizona, in May 2023. Shortly after, Owens presented Echard with pregnancy tests and medical records, asserting she was expecting his twins. A paternity petition was filed in August 2023, but DNA tests later reportedly showed no fetal DNA.

Despite further claims and court appearances where she appeared visibly pregnant, Owens withdrew the paternity claim in December 2024, citing a miscarriage. However, investigations uncovered evidence of falsified documents and fabricated medical imagery, leading to accusations of perjury against Owens.

This legal battle has taken a substantial toll on Echard's career. Following Owens' indictment on 14 felony charges in Arizona in 2025, Echard expressed immense relief. The recent guilty plea also addresses a separate criminal case involving allegations of fraud against another individual.

Beyond the Echard case, Owens faces accusations involving several other men. These include alleged pregnancy fraud claims against individuals identified as Matt, Mike Marraccini, Andrew, and Gregory Gillespie. She was indicted in November 2025 on additional felony charges related to the Gillespie case.

Laura Owens is scheduled for sentencing on October 23, 2026, in Maricopa County Superior Court.