LIGHTHOUSE POINT, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Tim Miller and Texas Equusearch (TES) first learned, along with the rest of the world, that Caylee Anthony was already dead before TES’s massive search for her began, when her criminal attorney announced in his opening statement during Ms. Anthony’s murder trial that Caylee was “never missing. Caylee Anthony died on June 16, 2008, when she drowned in her family’s swimming pool.” TES, its members, and countless volunteers, launched a massive search for Caylee, and spent over $100,000, conducting a search to find a missing child that, all the while, Ms. Anthony’s defense counsel admitted Ms. Anthony already knew to be deceased. In the fall of 2008, while this search was conducted, TES was forced to turn away calls for help from other families across the nation who were searching for persons that were truly missing.
TES, through its lawyers, Wites & Kapetan, P.A., filed a lawsuit in Orange County Florida state court to recover these funds, alleging that Ms. Anthony made fraudulent and material misrepresentations and omissions to TES concerning the whereabouts and living status of Caylee. TES had hoped to win the case and use the money to help other families. Ms. Anthony vigorously defended the case, and ultimately filed bankruptcy asking the federal bankruptcy court to forgive all of her debts.
TES, through its bankruptcy counsel, Meland Russin & Budwick, P.A., filed an unsecured proof of claim in Ms. Anthony’s bankruptcy estate and objected to her request for a discharge in the bankruptcy court, which would serve to forgive and erase all of her debts. TES’s efforts in the bankruptcy court were based on similar allegations TES made in its state court lawsuit against Ms. Anthony.
Like the state court lawsuit, the pursuit of the bankruptcy objection would require TES to expend considerable time and resources. Even though Wites & Kapetan, P.A., and Meland Russin & Budwick, P.A. are working pro bono, the cases still require a considerable amount of Mr. Miller’s time and energy, and would have required him to travel to Florida for various events in the proceeding, and potentially attend one or more lengthy trials. This also would require TES to expend additional money to pay for Mr. Miller’s travel expenses, and would again prohibit Mr. Miller and TES from helping other families that are truly in need.
While many have debated whether Casey Anthony will ever financially profit from Caylee’s death, one thing is certain; the time and money that TES must spend to pursue these claims are being taken from other families that really need their help. Accordingly, after considerable thought, and with the utmost concern and consideration for the many people that volunteer their time and money to TES, TES has decided to enter into a settlement agreement with Ms. Anthony.
Primarily, TES will voluntarily dismiss its objection to Ms. Anthony’s bankruptcy petition for discharge, in exchange for Ms. Anthony agreeing to not contest TES’s claim in the bankruptcy proceeding in the amount of $75,000.00. TES believes the settlement with Ms. Anthony is in the best interests of TES, its volunteers and its donors. TES intends to file a motion with the bankruptcy court seeking approval of the settlement agreement.
Press inquiries may be directed to TES’s legal counsel, Marc A. Wites of Wites & Kapetan, P.A., and Peter D. Russin of Meland Russin & Budwick, P.A..
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Marc A. Wites 4400 North Federal Highway Lighthouse Point, FL 33064 Tel: 954.570.8989 |
Peter D. Russin
3200 Southeast Financial Center |
