Casey Anthony: 5 things to know in the bankruptcy case - CFNews 13

Casey Anthony: 5 things to know in the bankruptcy case

By Amanda Evans, Reporter
Last Updated: Friday, March 01, 2013, 11:23 PM

ORLANDO -- On Monday, Casey Anthony will appear in court in her bankruptcy case.

Anthony says she owes nearly $800,000 to a variety of creditors. The debtors listed in her documents range from her defense attorney Jose Baez to Zenaida Gonzalez, the woman who says Anthony ruined her reputation. Anthony has no income.

If Anthony's bankruptcy case is approved by the courts, she won't have to pay those creditors, and she won't have to deal with the civil lawsuits against her by Gonzalez or others.

But legal analyst Mark NeJame says the bankruptcy courts are strict.

"You are under strict scrutiny when you are dealing with a bankruptcy trustee, and a bankruptcy judge," NeJame said. "You don't fool around, so if there has been any, any mis-statements or any 'fudging of numbers' there's going to be hell to pay in front of a bankrutpcy judge."

Here are five things to know of Monday when Casey Anthony appears in court.

1: Casey Anthony will be forced to answer questions for the first time.

Since the death of her daughter, Casey Anthony has never given a deposition and only Antony’s attorney Jose Baez spoke during her trial on her behalf. She never took the stand and we’ve only heard her speak in jail phone calls with her parents and a leaked online video diary. Anthony has plead the 5th up until this point. Cameras will not be allowed in the meeting room on Monday because it is a federal courthouse. A sketch artist will capture the images.

2. This is the first time a confirmed location of Casey Anthony since her acquittal.

Casey Anthony has been in hiding and has been rumored to be staying in numerous places across Florida. Security is an issue for this meeting and that is one reason a judge determined to keep it in Tampa versus bringing it back to Orange County. Anthony’s attorney said she never intends to return to Orange County and that she still receives death threats.

3. Casey Anthony could walk away from lawsuits.

If Anthony proves she is bankrupt, she will not owe any of her debtors money. That includes, Zenaida Gonzales, Roy Kronk and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.

4. Casey Anthony could go back to jail.

Anthony’s attorney Jose Baez admitted in her murder trial she has a history of lying, but doing so in federal bankruptcy court could land her in jail.

Anthony signed a summary of her schedule when she filed for bankruptcy and listed all of her assets. If a judge determines she was not truthful on this form she could face felony charges.

5. A book deal means no bankruptcy.

Attorneys will question Casey Anthony on her finances and the potential to someday make money. If Casey Anthony has a potential book deal or offer, it could be considered an asset and she would not be allowed to file for bankruptcy. Money made from a book deal or movie would be paid to Anthony’s creditors first. Anthony claims she owes nearly $800,000. If a book deal is made after bankruptcy is granted, Anthony could keep the money.

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