A new chapter has been filed in the Case against Casey Anthony. It's now chapter 7 after she said she has no money and filed for bankruptcy.
The filing could delay civil cases she’s still involved in since a jury found her not guilty of murdering her 2-year-old daughter, Caylee.
We spoke with the attorneys representing clients in two defamation cases.
They said even though their cases are put on stay until the bankruptcy court judge rules on this bankruptcy filing, they will move forward to get some restitution from Anthony.
- Court Document: Casey Anthony's petition for bankruptcy
The civil suits against Anthony from Zenaida Gonzalez, Roy Kronk and Texas EquuSeaqrch are just some that will be put on hold due to the filing.
In the 60-page document, Anthony claims she owes almost $800,000.
The filing came on the same day an appellate court threw out two of her four convictions for lying to law enforcement.
- Previous Story: Casey Anthony has $1K to her name, bankruptcy documents show
It could be a delay tactic for one of her civil cases, namely the Zenaida Gonzalez suit, which was to start in the near future.
News 13's Legal Analyst Mark NeJame thinks that might be the case. NeJame is also listed as one of the creditors in Anthony's bankruptcy filing.
“It’s definitely a strategy and a commonly used one," NeJame said. "You see many people filing for bankruptcy to avoid litigation, which could in fact wipe them out or keep them tied up for years.”
NeJame said he's never even spoken to Anthony, although he did briefly represent her parents in the early stages of the murder case.
Leonard Padilla speaks out
The California bounty hunter that bonded Anthony out of jail in 2008 in the hopes that she would lead him to Caylee Anthony was listed as a possible creditor in Anthony's bankruptcy petition.
Leonard Padilla said in an interview over the phone he was expecting it.
"I am assumed that she would, in anticipation of me filing a lawsuit for expenses that she would list me, yes," said Padilla.
Padilla helped search for Caylee early in the case and described some of went into his efforts.
"Well, it was four trips back to Florida and sometimes we had as many as six or seven people," said Padilla.
As for Anthony's filing, Padilla doesn't think Anthony will be let off easy.
"I don't think the court will just let her walk away from it. They'll take everything into consideration, especially too, as to why she's filing for bankruptcy."
How will this impact Anthony's civil cases?
Attorneys could continue seeking litigation in bankruptcy court or ask the bankruptcy judge to allow the civil cases to proceed in state court.
Matt Morgan, who represents Gonzalez, said although Anthony has no money, the recent filing will not affect their defamation case.
"We believe that at some point in the future, Casey Anthony will profit from a book, movie, or other related deal,” Morgan said. “It makes logical sense for her to have all of her liabilities discharged before she profits."
Kronk, the meter reader who found Caylee’s remains, is also suing for defamation.
"The lawsuit on behalf of Mr. Kronk always realized that collecting money would be difficult or impossible, but it didn't stop (us) from filing suit to prove that Mr. Kronk had nothing to do with the murder of Caylee Anthony," said Kronk’s attorney Howard Marks.
Only certain debts are discharged in bankruptcy court.
However, the attorneys said they are trying to collect damages they hope are not dischargeable in bankruptcy court.
When Gonzalez and Kronk’s defamation cases go to trial, a jury will determine the exact amount of money they would be awarded.
Even if Anthony does not have the amount at that time, but does sign a movie or book deal within 20 years of the judgment, Gonzalez and Kronk will still collect their sums before Anthony.
Anthony's legal team speaks
One of Anthony's defense lawyers, Andy Chmelir, said his client was looking for closure and that she actually feels bad she can't pay her legal fees.
“To some extent she feels, she feels bad that she's having to have all these legal services provided to her and she is unable to compensate anyone. So, she wants closure more than anything else," Chmelir said Saturday.
Chmelir said as for the future, Anthony is not able to make plans, but the pending litigation wasn’t helping.
“She doesn’t know. She can’t make any plans right now because right now she has various lawsuits that are ultimately going to require her presence,” said Chmelir.
Chmelir also said Anthony doesn't not have any book or movie deals.