Caylee/Casey Anthony Case: Indulgent Definately, Indigent Hardly
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Orlando, FL-
HOT MESS SPOILER ALERT
Who thought this was a good idea on behalf of THE BAEZ LAW FIRM?
Who raised their hand at the weekly status update and said:
“I’m sick of this crapp-ass coffee, I make $300 bucks an hour.
I make big bucks so I should be drinking STARbucks.
Gimme a Venti. I can’t drink this swill another 3/4 hour minimum or I will surely die before the trial.
I KNOW.. how about we figure out a way to make OTHERS pay for it??
Sound ridiculous?
That is nothing compared to the caught-on-camera cluster that took place during yesterdays hearing to declare accused murderer Casey Anthony indigent for costs.
Andrea Lyon, lead counsel and chronic look-of-woehaver, feels approximately $70Geeze of her “charity’s” money has been spent on this case. (Edited to add, methinks she is subtracting $22Geeze, read on)
The Center For Justice In Capital Cases
SHUT THE DOOR. This is no charity, except perhaps to Lyon as she is a paid staff member, serving as it’s director.
It is a certification study class at DePaul, run by Lyon and paid by the defense PI Morty.
Furthermore, as the work product developed in this case supports the curriculum and subsequent GPA of it’s tuitionable students, why the hell would the expenses be allocated to the defense of the case against Casey Anthony instead of DePaul?
There is no charity attributable to Andrea Lyon although she testifies to fund raising efforts through various charities and corporations, and that those charities are now, “in the hole.” $70Geeze, to be exact.
Is this the part where we here her use of the word charity was a charitable way to say she imposed on her budget as a professor?
I will say, given her penchant for hardass reporting from her students, how is it possible she has no clue what her books and billable hour are?
There are 14 students working on a death penalty case that are not attorneys, and client attorney privilege would not extend to them as their is no established agency. If I were the National Enquirer I would be finding out which of those undergrads have fat student loans and what kind of access to information they have. Catch My drift?
SanDiego Sugga Daddy
Todd Macaluso, apparently so sure of Casey’s innocence he gassed up the whirlybird, packed his lucky smoking jacket and signed on to the case.
Jose Baez testified that Todd Macaluso gifted $70 Geeze to the trust account of Casey Anthony. Operating pro hac vice (visitors pass) as representation with his own retainer agreement with Miss Anthony, Mac has violated the rules of the Florida Bar:
RULE 4-1.8 CONFLICT OF INTEREST; PROHIBITED AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS
(e) Financial Assistance to Client. A lawyer shall not provide financial assistance to a client in connection with pending or contemplated litigation, except that:
(1) a lawyer may advance court costs and expenses of litigation, the repayment of which may be contingent on the outcome of the matter; and
(2) a lawyer representing an indigent client may pay court costs and expenses of litigation on behalf of the client.
As Casey had access to $275K and was not indigent 10 months ago when Todd Macaluso signed on and paid his apparent entry fee, it would be impossible to defend this “contribution” as legal under Florida law.
ABC
The Approving Bogs for Children company has paid out $200 Geeze.
“In August 2008, we licensed exclusive rights to an extensive library of photos and home videos for use by our broadcast platforms, affiliates and international partners. No use of the material was tied to any interview.”
..”The deal was done with an attorney representing several owners of copyrighted content, ABC News spokeswoman Cathie Levine said. That attorney is Baez, she added..”
Really, not tied to any interview? When did those images and videos debut on GMA exactly? Who was on that program when they were shown?
I am quite certain I heard Jose Baez say in sworn testimony that he retained Tim Chinaris, former head of Florida Bar ethical committee to field such inquiries and all were turned down. He added that such agreements would not be ethical. Maybe he thinks ethical is transposable with visible.
Several owners of content means multiple people were paid for this “extensive library”. If ABC is claiming that Baez brokered this transaction for all then we have an even bigger problem as he was simultaneously representing the interests of all parties at the time. The agreement that was reached between the parties is critical to understanding the income status of Casey Anthony and her attorneys. Judge Strickland may very well just deny the indigency application and alls well that ends well that these barristers will have to buck up on their own.
That is, until John Morgan gets wind. We will see a copy of the ABC contract in the civil case against Casey Anthony on behalf of Zenaida Gonzalez, fo shcizz. He danced 2 jigs yesterday. There were witnesses.
Without question, Mr. Baez should be REQUIRED to produce this agreement in response to proof their is no recurring revenue or subsequent earnings to his client based on the structure of the agreement. It is not uncommon for such agreements to include royalty clauses, which would mean that someone is getting paid every time a photo or image from that collection is used.
ABC newsroom laid off 1/3 of it’s news staff earlier this month. Nice.
Billable Hours
Perhaps the *thud* moment for me yesterday was when Mr. Baez admitted in open court that he does not track his billable hours on this case.
THUD, AGAIN
Apparently, the reaction is sticking with me.
Under the rules of the Florida Bar, there is a very stringent set of requirements when determining reasonable fees for clients.
Short Version:
RULE 4-1.5 FEES AND COSTS FOR LEGAL SERVICES
(b) Factors to Be Considered in Determining Reasonable Fees and Costs.
(1) Factors to be considered as guides in determining a reasonable fee include:
(A) the time and labor required, the novelty, complexity, and difficulty of the questions involved, and the skill requisite to perform the legal service properly.
How can you bill someone $90Geeze, and have no idea how you got there, or whether or not such activities are reasonable to the client and or case?
Judge Strickland ruled that by end of business today the defense team needed to provide a full accounting of requested trust account disbursements.
I am thinking they will take the rejection of her indigency status before another trip to the dunk tank, but that’s just me.
Can you imagine the car ride home with Cheney Mason?
Role play:
“You effing stupid carpetbagging imp..
Do you even know what the eff IN CAMERA means??
It does not mean that information is sealed forever like the shalac on your hair, you moron..”
AL: Yep, I already told him that. Can I offer you some starbucks?
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I see the Judge has granted Casey indigent.
Here’s a question:
If SOMEONE does an investigation into Baez and the Hot Mess that he/that entails – and it is uncovered that there were/are/could be future funds available – can this motion be reversed?
“The Court has made a thorough review of all items submitted including the cost ledger of Defense Counsel and is satisfied that the Defendant has met all of the Statutory standards,” Judge Stan Strickland wrote in the order issued late Friday.
In his ruling, the judge said all costs for the defense will be submitted to the court to make sure they comply with rates and caps on spending.
While this means things like paper work, experts and interviews could be paid by tax dollars, the cost of her lawyers is not covered. At this point, her defense team appears to be working free of charge.
Thank you!
Can someone who has had 250K within the last yr really be indigent? I mean how many people in jail/prison that were declared indigent had that much money spent on their court costs? What about the person who has a lot of money but after being in jail for 18 months has none left and no job etc? I mean of course most people after a few months in jail will have no jobs if they had one before they went to jail and therefore no money either, so in essence every one of the people who have been incarcerated for any length of time would qualify for indigent status. I truly feel Judge Strickland is a smart man and I feel sorry for him having to be the one to have to make the final decision on this. It will be a hard one. I also feel that he will make the right decision as he does always seem to be one that is fair and takes all information into account.
I also feel that this new attorney is just grand standing…Why does he care what anyone really thinks of him, he’s just there for FUN!! GEEZ Disgusting. I wouldnt doubt if Judge Strickland doesnt feel like retiring himself after all of this mess!!
I believe George did fool around with this new woman, but that is his problem. I think he and Cindy either assumed Caylee died an accident or Casey told them that. She wouldnt tell them the truth for God’s sake, that would be an oxy moron..
what did I just say
I meant would love to see ZFG Mr. Morgans client get a piece of the pie too, see I am all jacked up and finger tied and can’t type over this mess….
JUST POSTED JUDGE STRICKLAND RULES THAT CASEY IS INDIGENT.
I’m still stuck on the fact that they attended a hearing about money and brought absolutely nothing pertaining to finances. I can’t understand why Strickland wouldn’t have ordered Baez to get himself poste haste down to his office for said files. It worries me that he didn’t. I mean, if we all can see the deception why can’t he? He is the only person who can do anything about this hot mess, non? Does anyone else think he should have gotten his arms around this a long time ago? So much time, so much money and it only keeps getting worse. Can Strickland see something that we all can’t? Is there a reason to allow them to break laws over and over again? Is this something new in law enforcement? It’s completely frustrating. Now Blink has done another bang up job of identifying all the problems of yesterday and we’ll read it and some of us will feel hopeful (yet again) that now that it’s out in the daylight well they’ll just have to see. Baez will just HAVE TO produce the agreement. Yes, without question. Right? Well he might or he might not. For some reason he doesn’t have to follow the laws that most of us do. You know, I thank God that John Morgan is involved. He may be the only one to actually make some of these criminals pay for their crimes.
Oh, is there no end to this madness?
I want to know where the money went. I’m counting (in round figures) well over $300K cash went to Casey. I’m counting roughly $150K in acknowledged legal expenses (with no accounting, apparently). Where is the other $150K+ (closer to $175K, if I”m counting right)?? The finances alone on this case make your head spin. She has a pro bono defense team that racks up $150K in expenses but can’t account for them, and a pro bono team of experts who apparently don’t need the money so didn’t get paid. And they’re crying indigency status with $175K unaccounted for.
It was clear this team couldn’t add 2 + 2 and get 4 from the very beginning.
Judge Stan Strickland grants Casey Anthony’s motion for indigency.
http://www.cfnews13.com for
more information.
http://www.cfnews13.com/Services/NewsAlerts/Default.aspx
Well looks like they got it !
Wow that was awesome.. All the crazy things wurling around in my head since yesterday were addressed!
Love this! (He danced 2 jigs yesterday. There were witnesses.) I am pretty sure I could be heard laughing two houses away after reading that.
TX Blink!
TY friend
B
MJ at 12:59 pm – with all due respect, the words “kc” and “glamour” in the same sentence made me spew Diet Coke out of my nose! Sing along everybody, “One of these things is not like the other. One of these things just doesn’t belong….”
blink congratulations on your posts from the hearing and today. this all is a bitter pill to swallow-you give us hope that justice willbe done. Could someone please post the ABC address so that we can flood them with our outrage and not use their advertizers-maybe the laws will eventually change and liscencing fees will be a thing of the past-wishful thinking. PLEASE a full investigation of george and cindy.
OT but Blink, isn’t there anything that you and your team can do for Haleigh Cummings? IT seems like someone has got to do something down there in Satsuma? have you heard any good chatter? at all?
Thanks.
Posted 03-19-10 06:37 PM Hide Post
INDIGENCY FOR COSTS GRANTED!!
ORLANDO — Orange County Judge Stan Strickland has ruled taxpayers should be responsible for paying for Casey Anthony’s defense.
Judge Grants Casey Indigesnce Status!! In his ruling declaring Anthony indigent, Judge Strickland wrote the defendant’s motion for determination of indigency for costs is granted.
The ruling also said the court has made a thorough review of all item submitted including the cost ledger of Defense Counsel and is satisfied that the defendant has met all the statutory standards.
Click Orlando 13
Great article Blink- I missed the whole thing yesterday so it was nice to come here and be able to read about what happened with a dash of snarky- made my night thanks- really appreciated the “thud” momments.
Will Casey lose her commissary donations now?
Has anyone ever explained where exactly the $250k actually came from? This chick was stealing checks from a friend she was so broke. Something smells here. Is it the money she stole from her own GRANDMA? Come on. Is this judge really this stupid? Why isn’t really getting to the bottom of the $250K she had…..ABC paid her for pictures and videos, that they never used? Or have no intention of ever using? total BS……I am glad that I don’t live in Flordia. What’s next…State gonna pay for the Anthony home as well…..What a sham. If she is all so broke…its called a PUBLIC DEFENDER! Period. The poor people of FLordia is now stuck paying for her gaggle of lawyers. All at taxpayers expense. WOW! so wrong…..
chitownlady:
ABC paid $200,000. You asked if the state was going to pay for the Anthony home…..well, in a way, yes, because the Anthonys made their own money on that ABC deal and the Anthonys are, in no way, going to pay for Casey’s defense when the state will. And guess what? More than likely the state, in the end, will have paid the $6,000-$7,000 court costs & further expenses on her check fraud case, along with the $600 that was paid to The Bank of America. Isn’t America great?
chitownlady:
On my last statement, I’ll explain: If Casey has paid for her fraud crime, then that came from money that could have been used for defending her on murder charges.
“There are 14 students working on a death penalty case that are not attorneys, and client attorney privilege would not extend to them as their is no established agency. If I were the National Enquirer I would be finding out which of those undergrads have fat student loans and what kind of access to information they have. Catch My drift?”
Wouldn’t that be covered under work product? I think the students are mainly doing research and they’re not privy to certain aspects of this case-such as conversations between client and attorney.
These aren’t undergrad students-this clinic is associated with DePaul Law School. Many law schools have non-profit clinics, the Innocence Project is a non-profit also associated with a law school. These are probably students that want to eventually work on capital cases.
Maybe I’ve misunderstood and I apologize in advance if that’s the case.
Are you encouraging the National Enquirer to snoop into the financial records of the students from the law clinic b/c you think DePaul/AL might be paying them or paying for their student loans?
Peggy
It was not necessarily the students participation I was concerned with, it really what one calls a “charity.”
I was certainly not suggesting the NE dig up anything on students, I was suggesting if they have access to classified information about this case that is a potential liability.
B
In less than 24 hours Strickland makes this ruling? It seems that he just gave in – justice denied today – we need a tougher judge – strickland is another Ito -Blink your points were all well taken and those points needed to be investigated – instead we got a rubber stamp. crooks – they are all crooks
It is not Stricklands job to police the lawyers ethically, I have no doubt in my mind these issues will be handled through the proper channels.
B
I wonder if KC is kicking herself in the rumpus for ALL those pictures she deleted off of her computer. She’s probably thinking she could have sold them for more money $$$ $$$ $$$ $$$ $$$
I can’t help myself. I live in California, I think Octomom whom i privately call Octopu**y, with her home now heading towards forclosure, should move to FLorida (no offense Florida residents) and be the new, improved Anthony daughter. ROFL. Both are total wastes of air and taxpayer resources. What a shame this is what Americans have become. We end up supporting all the scumbag deadbeats. Its time for hardworking Americans who although now may be unemployed (economy related) to stop supporting multigenerational or just good old deabeat people. Everyone deserves a hand up and help one time if needed, however those that COMPLETELY abuse the system, should be left out in the cold, with no assistence. I am not unfeeling, just believe in the old saying ” give a man a fish, feed him for a day, teach a man to fish, feed him for a lifetime”. Lastly, way back when i was in college, I wrote a paper that suggested that anyone deserves help if needed, if they received $10K in aid while getting training or education, they then repaid an affordable amount each month, and if they only repaid $1K, then they were only again eligable for $1K, if they needed help again. Think of the wisdom in this. If all aid folks repaid what they received via monthly payments, then the reserves to help the truly needy that desired to do right and earn their own way, would never be depleted. My suggestion/paper was not appreciated. However, i still say it makes alot of sense. ANyone can have one child by surprise or mistake, but no excuse for another child that taxpayers must pay for. Food for thought. Casey anthony is a perfect example of a deadbeat to the system.
Hey Blink, did you get the Jib Gig?
I posted it earlier but didn’t see it later. Maybe it was off-limits, but hope not.
It’s up, but could not watch it on my bb, sorry, I will when I can, at soccer tourney.
B
lizzy says:
March 19, 2010 at 12:13 pm
Teri says:
March 19, 2010 at 11:56 am
This couldn’t be any more bizarre if were PLANNED for T.V.
____________________________________________________________
But, was it? I mean, how WAS this nightmare of a peepshow born? I just don’t get it. There is a high-school dropoff who is clearly a pathological liar, her classless middle-income-at-best family, and a dead toddler. We’re not talking OJ here . . . no previous fame, no money, no charm, nothing.
—-
Exactly! Can someone please explain to me WHY this case has gotten all this crazy attention from attorneys? why are they stumbling over each other to be a part of this train wreck? what am I not seeing?
Off Topic……..
They believe they found the remains of Natalee Holloway in Aruba…
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/03/18/couple-believes-underwater-photo-natalee-holloway-remains/
Kleat,
Cute jibjab. Somebody should make one of all of them dancing their gigs.
WG
Mariann
I heard that as I was going out the door this morning to run errands! I just got home and am trying to catch up! I do so hope it is her but we have been there so many times. Lets hope.
allow me to go off topic with pam here for a second blink!!
I think we should borrow gilligans boat and sail casey the octomaniac and casey to a deserted island and burn the boat!!
while your at it add cindy and george to the mix !
goerge can do all the four women and no one will be the wiser off that island!!!
It does surprise me that they were able to come up with a acceptable accounting of things ( but with that many sleazy lawyers working on it maybe not such a surprise) but, but…. the wheelin and dealin that got the funds in the first place, that’s all fine? Macaluso ‘donating’70k, that’s okay? Baez being the atty on record for the ABC contract, that’s alright?
When is any one of them going to be held to the same bar that any of us would be?
And what about C Mason, he was Dom Casey’s atty, isn’t DC going to have to be a witness? What if he told him things? Mason, being the consumate good ole boy will ask everybody to just trust him. I don’t get it at all.
I would like to know if anyone can tell me in the Florida law if this new claims that a jail guard was passing notes to other inmates is going to affect her charges against her. This is not a reason for her to get a lighter sentence or no sentence at all, is it?
I was just reading how one person emplyed at the jail may get criminal charges filed against them. I surely hope this doesn’t affect the case some more. that is all we need.
They had to declare her indigent or else a grounds for an appeal. Bozo will be disbarred ( MORE SOON WINK….WINK….)
s.
I have inside info but can’t reveal the source, but it’s about the 258 pages of letters, I have a copy of 3 of the most ‘relevant’ “notes”, they are actually 76 pages long…….OH MY, she is cooked……… More Soon. _S
You can’t multi post rumors with no verification here. If you can back these up, we are glad to listen, otherwise, I require factual posts.
B
Even with taxpayer support – children living under these circumstances are living life on the margins. We should not penalize children because of the poor decisions of their parents in a civilized socialized relatively rich society. It’s wrong. Let ‘em starve? No.
I found this article on ABC News and in it quote “the monies were paid to Casey and RELATIVES. I find this wording very suspiscious (sp). To me this means George and Cindy involved in transaction and therefore I think we have the answer to where the remaining money is. They probably have hid it and therefore that is why their house is in foreclosure as the hiding of monies has been done.
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=10150122
“Circuit Judge Stan Strickland issued the ruling a day after her attorney disclosed that ABC had paid the Florida mother and her relatives $200,000 for exclusive use of family photos and videos”
ABC News under fire,
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=124913007&sc=emaf
Finally, our views are being addressed.
This is not going away.
B
Blink- do you know if Dom Casey ever got paid from Baez? I know he had a bar complaint about not being paid but that was awhile ago.. is it possible that’s where the rest of the $200 Geeze went? And would that be why Dominic closed up shop and left? Maybe to start over somewhere else with his new found cash?
Will JS release the accounting of where all the Defense’s cash went (besides JB and AL)?
I know that Dom Casey was not paid through the timeline of his bar complaint for same, whether he has been paid by the A’s or Baez I don’t know, but what I will say it is I will make it my and my teams personal mission to turn that charity/foundation issue upside down one more time to insure action these grifters are held accountable.
Kleat- could you locate my post where I predicted Cheney Mason would take this case? I have been told that Mr. Baez got the idea here, lol…
B
Hi Blink….Love the photo LOL…how fitting…..Saw that ruling coming to hand over State money, but that is part of “Due process” but hopefully it will be held with a tight fist and a stern eye…I do respect fellow opinions ,but do take offense of bashing Judge Strickland(THE MAN IS DOING HIS JOB FOLLOWING LAW)….Mr Baez & Co, looked totally clueless Thurs AM,no record keeping,receipts,etc.(unless they were written on the walls, ceiling & the floor in the Courtroom) OMG! Judge Strickland’s Face was Priceless doing the Math while Mr Baez was reciting his Financial Ledger through remote viewing…..Mr Mason had me nervous from the very beginning,right before “In session” he jumped all over a sound tech guy about the Mic….Also a change of heart for Mr Mason since his 12/12/08,expert opinion of this case after Caylee Marie Anthony was found in a swamp,not in her bed…..Although I did feel better with the candor between Judge Strickland & Mr Mason (probably nobull golf buddies). Judge Strickland knows where Mason is coming from, unlike Mr.Baez…..I will pick up every penny on the ground in the State of Florida to get a conviction…. Have great 1st Day Of Spring from the SUNSHINE STATE!
Tom Wolfe’s “Bonfire of the Vanities” (Part II) Right, here. folks! Right here, in Orlando! Not only a book; looks to be a lock for a movie,too. No, not a book and movie about the death of a precious baby, and the attempt to bring her murderer to justice. but a story about the foolishness and fol-der-rol surrounding the cast of thousands trying to make reputations (and not a few bucks) on her ravished little body. Sickening.
I don’t think it was possible for Judge Strickland to sort out all the accounting that the defense presented him with. So all he could and should do at this time is determine if Casey meets the definition of indigent. He did this and, IMO, properly granted the State support for her defense. However, I do not think that this will be the end of it. There are too many unanswered questions and, if I’m correct, too many questionable accounting practices. If we continue to demand the answers, they will be questioned and hopefully Baez will have more complaints to the bar filed against him and he will be held accountable for all the harm he has caused.
Since it’s not found its way over here yet, I’ll post a link to the National Public Radio story as shared by a couple of people at Valhall’s site. Criticism of the ABC ‘unethical’ choices and the 200 thousand dollar reveal, all in the face of the staff cutting ABC has done recently.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=124913007
There’s audio of the story too, posted there.
nope, it’s here, I am just “in the field” today and slow mod.
B
Hey Blink, have we been visited by a recently discussed blogger who posts enticing tidbids of unsubstantiated ‘fact’ then leaves with promises of more? Or is this a copy cat?
Dunno if copycat, but yes, we have, you note my response, I don’t do “I got the goods, I have inside info, blah blah.” This is not romper room.
B
Does anyone else feel like givimg up? It DOES NOT MATTER what this murderer does, there are lawyers leaping to her defense at every move. Florida can’t punish her no matter how badly they may want to or how guilty she is. Why don’t we all just accept that? Why not just release her now and save the State a big sh*tload of money? If she had been caught placing the tape over Caylee’s mouth guaranteed there would be 20 lawyers swearing up and down with their hands on a Bible that she was only REMOVING the tape. Let her go. Maybe they’ll get her the next time. I would laugh if it wasn’t so sad.
I cannot and will not ever give up on baby Caylee. I could care less about these other gavones.
B
Blink, that’s a new link– NPR with an audio link, all about ABC. Not the little ‘diversion’ Gig Jab!!
No worries!!!
Baez and Cheney were on the media tour early on. I remember asking you who the attorney was, not sure if I had a name at the time or not, and that’s when you predicted…. gosh can I find it… will try.
Blink,
I’m disappointed in Judge Strickland. In open court on Friday he told the new Anthony attorney that they were asking for public funds and there needed to be disclosure of those disbursements in open court. Now, the disclosure has been made “in chambers”. Why did the judge allow this?
Correction: I meant to say Thursday.
Bees…interesting you wrote that last statement, sometimes I feel the exact same way and sometimes I get this sickening feeling deep down inside that this circus will end up like the OJ Murder Dibocal…but I am reassured in knowing that Karma is an MOFO and justice and truth always prevail…. (who was the great dectective in the beginning that told Casey the following) “the truth always comes out, it always does”
Justice for Caylee Will Come
approving bogs for children
first i laughed, then i cried.
well said, I share your sentiment, but I felt compelled to call it as a see it.
B
Hi Blink and all , thank you for a great article , please turn that charity/foundation upside down , that made me so happy to read that ! here is a quote I read at it is a mystery to me , who said this you ask the SAO ,the prosecution, a blogger no pappa smurf himself the one and only latest Bully boy on the block Mason …………….Defense attorney Cheney Mason said claims made by Casey Anthony and Baez that Caylee was alive will now work against them at trial.
“Then all the talking, all the press interviews and the parents going on this show and that show and the lawyer going on different shows establishes they have no credibility whatsoever,” Mason said.
“You can pretty well predict there’s going to be a life sentence, either a plea and get it over with or have a circus trial and then be convicted and get life,” Mason said. thank you so much Mr Mason we have been saying the SAME thing all along .