Casey Anthony must turn over info on her finances, judge saysBy Jeff Weiner, Orlando Sentinel
10:29 a.m. EST, August 28, 2012
Did Casey Anthony get money from her parents' trust fund? After a ruling Tuesday, Anthony will have to tell Zenaida Gonzalez the answer, but the public won't find out at least until the case goes to trial.
Gonzalez's lawyers wanted to know if Anthony's parents, George and Cindy, have been funneling her money from the trust fund they created in honor of their granddaughter, Caylee Marie. Anthony's attorneys argued that was "private financial information" and irrelevant to the ongoing civil suit.
At a hearing Tuesday, Gonzalez's attorneys said that because they're seeking punitive damages against Anthony, they must know everything they can about her net worth. They said their fear was that Anthony would argue at trial that she's broke.
"We assume that they will take that position in the case," said Gonzalez attorney John Dill.
Anthony's attorney, Andrew Chmelir, countered that Gonzalez was only looking for publicity. The source of any funds Anthony has received, he said, isn't necessary to determine how much money she has.
"They're asking for information above or beyond what her net worth is," Chmelir said.
The judge ruled in favor of Gonzalez, with a caveat: Anthony must answer Gonzalez's questions, but her attorneys may not reveal the answers publicly other than in open court at trial. The trial is currently scheduled for January.
The judge also heard argument about Anthony's so-called "video diary," which leaked online in January. In it, Anthony made reference to other audio recordings she had made. Gonzalez's team told the judge they want those recordings. If Anthony was keeping a record of her thoughts, they argued, it's reasonable the subject of her daughter's death could have come up.
...more at linkhttp://articles.orlandosentinel.com/201 ... isa-munyon