Paul Petersen is scheduled to be in Maricopa County Superior Court on Tuesday morning. The former county assessor is accused of swindling the state’s Medicaid system to get health care for pregnant Marshallese women and help fuel an illegal adoption scam.
Court records say Petersen could go on trial in Arizona as soon as May 28 and that it would likely take about 30 days.
Petersen also faces charges in Utah and Arkansas. He has denied allegations that he told his staff to file false applications for Arizona’s publicly funded health care program, Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System.
Court records say plea negotiations continue. But Petersen has to make up his mind by March 20, which is the day his Marshallese co-defendant, and former employee, is scheduled to be sentenced.
Lynwood Jennet has agreed to testify against Petersen as part of her own plea deal.
