Casey's New Lawyer in Trouble?

Casey's New Attorney In Trouble With California Bar



Posted: 5:56 am EDT March 13, 2009Updated: 8:04 am EDT March 13, 2009ORLANDO, Fla. -- There's another new twist in the case against Casey Anthony. Channel 9 discovered that her newest, high-profile attorney is in some trouble with the California state bar association. Mark Todd Macaluso is accused of writing bad checks from one of his client's accounts.


Eyewitness News' legal expert said that is one of the most serious allegations an attorney can face. The new attorney was in court with Casey Anthony for her most recent hearing.


The most recent addition to Casey Anthony's defense team spoke with Anthony briefly in court before the hearing began yesterday. The man from California recently signed a motion asking to be allowed to appear in Florida court as a new attorney on the case alongside Jose Baez.


California state bar documents reveal, in January, the bar filed disciplinary charges against Macaluso. The charges allege he misappropriated client funds and misused a client's trust account. That type of account is set up for an attorney to hold the clients money. For example, after a settlement, the attorney would use the money in the account to cut a check.


When Eyewitness News asked Macaluso about the allegations he blamed his staff who didn't handle it appropriately.


Casey's defense team had a tough day in court.


Thursday, her lawyers asked for prosecutors to hand over the Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI) bench notes on DNA testing. However, prosecutors don't have them and the judge said he has no jurisdiction over the FBI outside of Florida.


The judge also denied a request to sanction prosecutors for allegedly keeping evidence from them and concealing experts from the witness list.


The judge did grant a request by George and Cindy Anthony's attorney, Brad Conway, ruling that George's suicide note will remain a secret.
http://www.wftv.com/news/18922244/detail.html

Casey Anthony New Attorney Todd Macaluso Under Investigation In Cali Federal Suit in NJ Pending

Posted by Blink | Casey Anthony, Caylee Anthony Case, Jose Baez, Todd Macaluso | Thursday 12 March 2009 10:40 pm



San Diego, CA– Blink on Crime has learned that Todd Macaluso, newly introduced member to the Jose Baez Law Firm Defense Team, is under investigation for a check written on his behalf for $108, 000.00.
It is alleged the check did not clear funds available.
It is unclear if the check in question is a Client escrow account or a direct check from Macaluso’s professional or personal funds.
WFTV’s Kathi Belich asked Mac about the issue following the end of the Motions hearing today to which he replied “the matter is being resolved.”
As of 5PM EST today, no Pro Hac Vice motion has been submitted to Judge Strickland on Macaluso’s behalf, although he has given several interviews espousing the defense position on the case.
A lawsuit filed in Federal Court this July on behalf of a former litigant to a suit led by Macaluso, the former Cytodyne Technologies, currently operating under the name Nutraquest, Inc, alleges that Macaluso and a reporter for the San Diego Union Tribune conspired to slant their coverage to attract more Clients for Macaluso and defame Cytodyne.
The suit identifies Pennie Crabtree as the wife of Richard Pittner, a senior researcher at SanDiego based Amylin Pharmaceuticals, who is developing an anti obesity drug. The suit accuses Crabtree of a direct conflict of interest, in that Cytodyne and her husband’s company were potentially direct competitors.
http://blinkoncrime.com/2009/03/12/casey-anthony-new-attorney-todd-macaluso-under-investigation-in-cali/