Greg
Peterson a big time Republican fundraiser in Utah is behind bars.
A
Utah man tied to the state's Republican party has been arrested on
charges that he raped four women.
Greg
Peterson, 37, was booked Wednesday on 23 felony counts, including rape and
kidnapping. Two of the alleged victims claim the incidents took place at
Peterson's cabin, where he has hosted a number of fundraisers featuring Utah's
most prominent politicians. Peterson's bail has been set at only $750,000.
Charging
documents allege sexual assaults against four women in Salt Lake County
beginning March 26, 2011. In the first case, the documents allege, Peterson met
a woman at a church function and she agreed to go to a movie with him.
But
instead of going to a theater, the papers allege, Peterson told the woman he
had a gun and took her to his cabin in Heber. The documents allege he sexually
assaulted the woman while she said no and hit her when she did not do as he
wished. Peterson drove the woman back to her vehicle the next morning.
Peterson
allegedly held the woman hostage at his cabin overnight and sexually assaulted
her. The next day, he took her to his mother's house in Lewiston, Cache County,
where she was held hostage for two days and repeatedly assaulted, according to
court documents.
In
another case, Peterson allegedly met a woman online, went to a movie with her
and then threatened to report the woman to immigration authorities after
learning her visa had expired. The Tribune reported he allegedly then drove her
to the cabin and sexually assaulted her there.
The
rape and kidnapping charges are first-degree felonies that could carry life
sentences.
On Peterson’s Facebook page, he describes himself
as the owner of Peterson Wealth Management and features a photo of
him meeting GOP presumptive presidential nominee Mitt Romney. Another photo
shows an invitation to a Romney fundraiser that he co-chaired on Nov.
17, 2007 in Park City, Utah.
