Within weeks of Laci's disappearance it was being implied that Scott was involved in Laci's disappearance for financial gain. As we outline the facts of Scott and Laci's life insurance and their financial situation, you will see deception by the police and inaccurate reporting by the media. 

          Life Insurance

  • Shortly after they bought their home in Modesto , Scott and Laci purchased life insurance on each other. The policies were dated June 25, 2001, eighteen months prior to her disappearance and before Laci was pregnant.
  • On December 25, 2002, the day after Laci went missing, Scott told Agent Mansfield from the Department of Justice that both he and Laci had a life insurance policy.
  • Police confiscated copies of policies during Dec 26/27 th search warrant.
  • Detective Brocchini spoke with Scott and Laci's friend and financial planner, Brian Ullrich, on January 5, 2003. Brian knew of no other insurance policy than the one that had been purchased in June of 2001. Brian testified in court that he became licensed in January of 2001 and had called Scott and Laci to see if they wanted a no cost financial evaluation. Scott and Laci agreed. Brian suggested whole life policies; $250,000 on Scott and $100,000 on Laci. Brian testified it was Laci who thought their policies should be equal.
  • The police had no evidence of any other policy.
  • Despite having the above knowledge, the police told the Rocha family on Jan 15th , 2003 that Scott was having an affair and that he had recently taken out a $250,000 life insurance policy on Laci.
  • Modesto Bee runs an article on Jan 17th stating that Scott had taken a $250,000 life insurance policy after she got pregnant. It was also widely reported in the national media.
  • Detective Brocchini called some of Scott's friends early in the morning on January 17th to tell them to read the article in the Modesto Bee. In his own words, his intent was to plant "seeds of suspicion using wrong information. (see testimony of Detective Brocchini)
  • Modesto police held regular press conferences and made no attempt to correct the misinformation about the life insurance, planting more "seeds of suspicion". When Ron Grantski testified over two years later on June 8, 2004, he said, "I still don't know," when asked if he knew the truth about the life insurance.
  • In July of 2003, the misinformation about Scott buying life insurance on Laci resulted in legislation being passed that obligates insurance companies to notify an individual if their spouse will financially gain from their death.
  • (Please note: We do not have issue with the legislation itself, but that the legislation was founded on misinformation)


    Financial Situation
    The prosecution did not suggest money was a motive in either their opening or closing arguments. However, financial motive or difficulties were sometimes suggested in the questioning of witnesses. A Proverb says, "The first one to plead his cause seems right, until his neighbor comes and examines him." The following information was brought out on cross-examination of prosecution witnesses:
  • Special Agent Doug Mansfield testified that it appeared to him that Scott and Laci were living within their means.
  • Laci's brother, Brent Rocha testified that Laci was frugal and careful with money and that Scott was handy and had done many of their home improvements himself. Brent testified that with regards to the Rocha family finances, there was no financial motive for Scott to do anything to Laci or Conner. Laci was to inherit $160,000+ from the sale of her grandparent's home. Laci would have received this money after her grandfather died and when she reached the age of 30. (Laci's grandfather was moved into a skilled nursing facility in the fall of 2002 and died in December 2003.) There was another Rocha family trust valued at over $2,400,000. Laci and her two siblings would have eventually inherited half of that estate. Scott would inherit none of this money if Laci were dead.
  • Scott and Laci's financial planner, Brian Ullrich testified that Scott was funding a retirement plan.
  • Tradecorp accountant, Jeffrey Coleman testified that Scott received a raise in January of 2003.
  • Modesto City Auditor, Gary Nienhius testified on direct examination that Scott and Laci's debt ratio had increased from 2001 to 2002. Upon cross examination by defense attorneys it was revealed that he had not been given Laci's 2002 income (over $6000) for his calculations and that this income would have made a difference in his calculations. Nienhius also testified on cross examination that Scott and Laci's credit report showed "paid" and "never late" on all accounts. They had multiple credit lines available to them with zero balances. He testified that Scott paid the premium for Laci's medical insurance on December 23rd, the day before she went missing. Scott and Laci were also making additional principal payments on their mortgage.
    • Unfortunately, the media did not always pay attention during the cross examination of witnesses. So contrary to what complete testimony revealed, here were some of the headlines: June 17, 2004 "Was money the motive for Murder",  August 2, 2004 "Expert: Peterson's Debts Rose Sharply", August 2, 2004 "Peterson plagued by cash troubles",August 2, 2004 "Peterson Debt Mounting Before Laci's Disappearance", August 3, 2004 "Peterson's Finances Unraveled"
  • The police also planted their seeds of suspicion with Scott's employer, Tradecorp. It was suggested to Tradecorp that Scott was embezzling, but after review, Tradecorp endorsed Scott's management of the company. No improprieties were found.
  • It was also suggested that Scott was eager to sell their home in Modesto and move on with his life when Laci went missing. We offer the following facts regarding the sale of Scott and Laci's home:
  • In May of 2002, Laci contacted a realtor in San Luis Obispo about 3 bedroom homes in the $400,000 to $600,000. It was suggested in court that Laci did this in anticipation of receiving her inheritance.
  • On December 25, 2002, Scott told Agent Mansfield from the Department of Justice, that he and Laci planned to return to San Luis Obispo.
  • Laci's brother, Brent Rocha, testified that Scott and Laci "talked about moving back to the coast."
  • In mid/late January of 2003, Scott discusses selling his home with two different realtors, Terri Western and Brian Argain. Scott said to Brian in a wiretapped phone call, "...we're not staying there, there's no way if Laci comes back that we're gonna stay there.."  Following are some of the recent event that occurred in their neighborhood:
  • Laci was abducted on December 24, 2002
    The home across the street was burglarized on December 24, 2002
  • Scott and Laci's home was broken into/burglarized on January 19, 2003 and on at least one other occasion
  • In late January, a radio show broadcast from the street in front of Scott and Laci's home. They were calling Scott a murder through a bullhorn.
  • Someone had driven a vehicle into warehouse door of Scott's business

    • The speculation and rumors surrounding Scott and Laci's financial situation was another area of misinformation that contributed to the public assumption that Scott was guilty. This was nothing new, as was pointed out so well in a January 25, 2003 Sacramento Bee article, "Rumors leave lives in limbo".
     

    As we continue to correct misinformation in upcoming newsletters, we would like to hear from you. Please let us know if you have any comments, questions, or topics you would like us to cover in the future.

    Featured Fact: The truth about Finances

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