Bay Area Radio Host Ronn Owens Loses Bankruptcy Bid Amid Daughter's Paternity Fraud Case

Owens and wife could face foreclosure on Arizona home as daughter Laura Owens prepares for trial on 14 felony counts related to false pregnancy claims.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 4:31pm by Ben Kaplan

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Bay Area radio legend Ronn Owens and his wife Jan Black Owens have lost their bid to keep creditors from collecting on their reported $2.3 million in liabilities through a Chapter 13 bankruptcy filing. A U.S. Bankruptcy Court judge in Arizona dismissed their petition, saying the couple failed to fully comply with recommendations made by the court-ordered trustee. This news comes as their 35-year-old daughter Laura Owens separately prepares for trial in July on 14 felony counts alleging that she targeted two Arizona men, including former 'Bachelor' star Clayton Echard, with false pregnancy claims in 2021 and 2023.

Why it matters

The Owens family's legal and financial troubles highlight the broader challenges facing public figures and their families when faced with high-profile criminal allegations and online harassment. The case also raises questions about the intersection of personal and professional lives, as well as the potential consequences for those accused of fraud and deception.

The details

A U.S. Bankruptcy Court judge dismissed Ronn and Jan Owens' August 2025 bankruptcy petition, saying the couple failed to fully comply with recommendations made by the court-ordered trustee. The trustee reported the couple were delinquent in paying $15,600 monthly installments under their proposed repayment plan and needed to provide completed tax returns and documents showing the value of several companies they reported owning. Meanwhile, their daughter Laura Owens is facing 14 felony counts related to allegedly making false pregnancy claims against two Arizona men, including former 'Bachelor' star Clayton Echard. Authorities allege Laura Owens wanted to press these men into relationships after they refused to date her.

  • On Monday, a U.S. Bankruptcy Court judge in Arizona dismissed Ronn and Jan Owens' Aug.14, 2025, bankruptcy petition.
  • Laura Owens' trial is scheduled to begin on July 29.

The players

Ronn Owens

An 80-year-old retired KGO-AM 810 talk-radio host in the Bay Area.

Jan Black Owens

Ronn Owens' wife, a former KCBS news reporter.

Laura Owens

Ronn and Jan Owens' 35-year-old daughter who is facing 14 felony counts related to alleged false pregnancy claims against two Arizona men.

Clayton Echard

A former star of the ABC reality TV show 'The Bachelor' who was targeted by Laura Owens with false pregnancy claims.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

The judge in Laura Owens' criminal case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow her out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the complex personal and professional challenges facing public figures and their families when faced with high-profile criminal allegations and online harassment. It also raises broader questions about the intersection of personal and professional lives, as well as the potential consequences for those accused of fraud and deception.