Matthew Casey/KJZZ

Bill Gates, chairman of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, talks with reporters after setting a date to hear the appeal of Assessor Paul Petersen's suspension.

The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors has chosen Dec. 11 to hear Paul Petersen appeal his suspension from the Maricopa County Assessor's Office, but lawyers for Petersen say board members and other county officials should have to testify at the hearing.

A letter from Petersen’s attorneys asks that elected county officials and others be forced to testify at the appeal. The letter also demands access to a trove of county documents for potential use as evidence to defend Petersen.

Maricopa County Board of Supervisors Chairman Bill Gates said Petersen will get the files he’s allowed to have, but he wouldn’t say which ones. Gates also said he doesn’t think Petersen can force others to testify at the hearing.

“This is his due process right, and we look forward to hearing information that relates to neglect of duty. Particularly, new information that we haven’t heard before,” Gates said.

Petersen has been accused of running an illegal adoption ring involving pregnant women from the Marshall Islands.