March 30, 2025 2:04 am
Facebook Twitter Youtube Instagram Linkedin
Rose Law Group

See Utah houses Paul Petersen owned and some Marshallese women stayed

Authorities say Petersen has for years run an adoption law practice in Mesa that involves bringing women from the Marshall Islands, pictured, to the U.S. to give birth

Padlocks and dirty diapers: New owner describes house where Marshallese women stayed

Bu Jessica Boehm | Arizona Republic

Alanna Mabey didn’t know the man who owned her West Valley City, Utah house before she purchased it in May — but she’s learned a lot about Paul Petersen, and what he did with the house, since he was arrested on Oct. 8.

Petersen is a Phoenix-based adoption attorney who authorities say housed as many as 15 pregnant Marshallese women in the West Valley City house. He’s also Maricopa County’s elected county assessor. 

Petersen now faces dozens of felony charges in Utah, Arizona and Arkansas in what prosecutors are calling an international adoption fraud scheme. 

They say Petersen illegally arranged for pregnant women from the Republic of the Marshall Islands to fly to the United States to deliver their babies, which he then placed for adoption with American families for as much as $40,000.

READ ON:

Share this!

Additional Articles
News Categories

Get Involved

Stay Informed

Get Our Twice Weekly Newsletter!

* indicates required

Rose Law Group pc values “outrageous client service.” We pride ourselves on hyper-responsiveness to our clients’ needs and an extraordinary record of success in achieving our clients’ goals. We know we get results and our list of outstanding clients speaks to the quality of our work.

learn more

Recent Articles

RLG-RCF-Logo-Reverse
Facebook Twitter Youtube Instagram Linkedin
© 2025 Rose Law Group Reporter

Rose Law Group Reporter, which provides Dealmaker’s content and service, is contracted by Rose Law Group. Rose Law Group is a full service real estate and business Law Firm practicing in the areas of land use/entitlements, real estate transactions, real estate due diligence/project management, special districts, tax law, water law, business litigation, corporate formation, intellectual property, asset protection, data breach/privacy law, ADA compliance, estate planning, family law, cyber-law, online reputation and defamation, lobbying, energy and renewable energy, tax credits/financing, employment law, Native American law, equine law, DUIs, and medical marijuana, among others. The views expressed above are not necessarily those of Rose Law Group pc or its associates and are in no way legal advice. This blog should be used for informational purposes only. It does not create an attorney-client relationship with any reader and should not be construed as legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney in your community who can assess the specifics of your situation.