Casey Anthony’s bankruptcy took another turn last week, when a federal judge overseeing her case postponed a hearing until later this month to allow time to look at issues surrounding two defamation suits against the Florida woman.
According to the Associated Press, Judge K. Rodney May heard from attorneys representing two people suing Anthony for defamation during a May 8 hearing. The attorneys argued that their lawsuits should be exempt from the bankruptcy proceeding; however, Anthony’s attorneys have listed the two people as creditors in her bankruptcy filing.
May has not decided whether the defamation lawsuits should be resolved in state court or settled in the federal court system, according to the AP. A court date for further deliberations has been set for May 30.
Anthony, 26, lives in hiding and still receives threats since she was acquitted in 2011 of killing her 2-year-old daughter Caylee, according to her attorneys. Anthony filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Tampa in February, listing 80 creditors, with debts mostly related to legal, medical, psychiatric and forensics services stemming from her murder trial. She is also a defendant in several civil lawsuits. Anthony’s bankruptcy paperwork listed $1,000 in assets and $792,000 in debts.
Typically, a bankruptcy filing halts pending lawsuits through the automatic stay. However, even if Anthony is able to claim any judgment from the defamation lawsuits in her bankruptcy case, she still has several non-dischargeable debts including criminal restitution, court fees and government-imposed fines and penalties.
Regardless of how you personally feel about Anthony, a bankruptcy can help you if you are facing the threat of bill collectors. Contact our Washington DC and Maryland bankruptcy lawyer to learn more about whether you should file bankruptcy.
#JuddsJudgment: Of the $792,000 in debts listed in Casey Anthony’s #bankruptcy filing, $500,000 is reported to be for legal fees.
— Judd Law Firm (@juddlawfirm) May 15, 2013
