S-F Talk Legend Ronn Owens Defends Use of GoFundMe Account

Ronn Owens, a Bay Area radio icon known for hosting The Ronn Owens Program on KGO 810 AM for nearly five decades until his retirement in 2021, has faced significant health and financial challenges, prompting a GoFundMe campaign to support him. 

Owens took to social media Tuesday to deny allegations that funds raised through the campaign were being used to cover legal expenses for his daughter, Laura Owens, who is embroiled in a high-profile legal case.

Owens, now 79, revealed in a New Year’s Eve 2024 Facebook post that he has been battling Parkinson’s disease since 2001, along with four bouts of cancer (most recently colon cancer) and serious heart issues. These health struggles have led to significant medical expenses, overwhelming his finances despite his long career. Friends and family launched a GoFundMe campaign in January 2025 to help cover these costs, initially aiming to raise $60,000 but later increasing the goal to $140,000. As of June 2025, the campaign had raised over $125,000, with contributions from notable figures like former KGO colleague Leo Laporte and state Senator Jerry Hill.

Owens, a National Radio Hall of Fame and Bay Area Radio Hall of Fame inductee, was a prominent voice in San Francisco, hosting influential discussions with figures like Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton. His show drew over 500,000 listeners at its peak. 

After moving to Scottsdale, Arizona, in 2021, Owens expressed gratitude for the community support but noted the embarrassment of publicly asking for help.

Laura Owens

The GoFundMe campaign has faced scrutiny due to the legal troubles of Owens’ daughter, Laura Owens, 35, who was indicted in May 2025 in Maricopa County, Arizona, on seven felony counts, including fraud, perjury, forgery, and evidence tampering. These charges stem from a paternity lawsuit she filed against Clayton Echard, a former star of The Bachelor, claiming he impregnated her with twins in 2023. Echard denied the allegations, stating their encounter involved no intercourse. 

A June 2024 court ruling found Laura’s claims baseless, with evidence of fabricated documents, including altered ultrasound images and a fake pregnancy video. She was accused of wearing a fake pregnant belly to court, and the case was referred for criminal prosecution.The timing of the GoFundMe campaign, launched shortly after a January 2025 police raid on Owens’ Scottsdale home related to Laura’s case, sparked speculation that the funds were being used for her legal defense. 

Ronn Owens addressed these concerns on social media, explicitly stating that the GoFundMe donations were not being used to pay Laura’s legal bills. The San Francisco Chronicle reported this statement, though some criticized the coverage as “lazy journalism” for relying solely on Owens’ word without further evidence.