Tea-party operative denied bail on sex charges

Updated: 7/25/2012 3:24 pm | Published: 7/25/2012 3:21 pm

Images

Utah Republican activist Gregory Nathan Peterson, 37, of Orem, stands with his attorney, Jerry Salcido, in Judge Ann Boyden's courtroom in the Matheson Courthouse in Salt Lake City, Utah Monday July 23, 2012. Peterson is accused of raping four women â€” two of whom say they were taken to the Heber, UT cabin where he hosted major political events. (Steve Griffin, The Salt Lake Trib)

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - A judge is refusing to lower the $750,000 bail for a conservative political activist facing 25 rape and other charges.

Court records show 3rd District Judge Katie Bernards-Goodman denied the request Wednesday from 37-year-old Gregory Nathan Peterson.

Peterson is being held at Salt Lake County jail on charges accusing him of assaulting four women - two at his cabin outside of Heber, where he has held annual gatherings for Republican officeholders and candidates. Peterson also organized a debate between two GOP candidates for Utah attorney general.

An evidence hearing in the case was scheduled for Friday before Judge Judith Atherton.

Utah Republican Chairman Thomas Wright tells The Associated Press that Peterson is a self-styled tea-party operative who has never held a leadership position or raised or donated money for the state party.

(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

crime,, justice