Todd Macaluso Leaves Defense Team After Being Accused of "Moral Turpitude, Dishonesty or Corruption" by the California Bar

Casey Anthony's defense team loses attorney amid troubles with California Bar

Todd Macaluso accused of "moral turpitude, dishonesty or corruption"

By Susan Jacobson and Bianca Prieto, Orlando Sentinel
7:53 a.m. EST, February 15, 2010

One of Casey Anthony's attorneys has withdrawn from her murder case because of troubles with the California Bar.

Todd Macaluso told the defense team last week that he could no longer represent Anthony, defense lawyer José Baez announced Sunday.

Macaluso has entered an alternative-discipline program after being accused of "moral turpitude, dishonesty or corruption" in handling several trust accounts.

The State Bar alleged that he misappropriated about $145,000 and misused nearly $61,000 in client money.

Macaluso denied any willful violation, blaming his staff and saying he was distracted and traumatized at the time by his brother's death. Anthony is awaiting trial in the death of her 2-year-old daughter, Caylee, in 2008.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/breakingnews/os-casey-anthony-attorney-quits-defense-t20100215,0,4152522.story

So...Big Mac won't be expounding on why Casey is innocent...I wonder who will pick up the slack and jump on the Casey's Innocent Band Wagon next...

I, personally, think there is more to this story than is being stated. TM had this bar issue going on when he joined the defense team. I was surprised back then that JS would allow him to practice in Florida when he had this California issue unresolved.

However, JS did... and then came TM's HUGE blunder of "we have evidence that the body was placed in the woods after Ms. Anthony was already in jail; therefore, she couldn't have killed her daughter." The State jumped on that statement and said pony up the discovery.... and the defense was given until February 1 to provide it to the State.

Since it is SO obvious that they have no such evidence, and this really caused some problems for the defense. I have a sneaking suspicion that TM is leaving the defense because he was ASKED to leave..... before his bar issue in California was resolved..... they are just now making it formal. IIRC, we have heard hide nor hair of him since his bold statement except the one time on one of the national TV shows (during one of their media tours), he said "a stranger did it."

BTW, IMO, even IF (and that's a huge if) the defense had such evidence, it would still not prove KC did not kill her daughter.... to me, it would only prove she had someone helping her after the fact.... the epitome of covering up for her heinous act...

Estee is right..... TM is a LOSER.

Snaz wrote:
BTW, IMO, even IF (and that's a huge if) the defense had such evidence, it would still not prove KC did not kill her daughter.... to me, it would only prove she had someone helping her after the fact.... the epitome of covering up for her heinous act...

I wonder if they thought we would all think: if she didn't dump the body, it would automatically = she didn't kill Caylee. That makes no sense. They tried to pull a fast one with the way they phrased this one.

Julie, you're right... but nothing this defense has said and done makes sense.... they make the most outrageous comments... and expect they will win friends and influence people (i.e. potential jurors)!!!!

Attorney Leaving Casey's Defense Team

Posted: 9:42 pm EST February 14, 2010
Updated: 6:00 am EST February 15, 2010

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Eyewitness News has learned one of Casey Anthony's attorneys is leaving the case. Todd Macaluso joined the defense team to help Casey's attorneys cross examine expert witnesses.

He notified Casey Anthony last week that he would no longer be able to represent her due to current issues with the California State Bar. Macaluso is under investigation for misappropriating client funds and misusing a client's trust account.

He joined Casey's defense team in March 2009. Eyewitness News asked Macaluso about his issues in California at that time, and he said "It is pending, and it will be resolved."

Casey's lead attorney, Jose Baez told Eyewitness News on Sunday night that Macaluso has entered the alternative disciplinary program with the California Bar, and wouldn't be able to practice law at this time.

WFTV Legal Analyst Bill Sheaffer says Macaluso has spent most of the past year, dealing with his problems in California. "He does not appear to have played such an integral part in the defense up the this point, that it should rise to the point of a devastating loss to the defense," said Sheaffer.

Macaluso sent out a statement on Sunday night, saying "I, like Casey, know how difficult it is to lose a family member. While I regret not being able to proceed in her case as her attorney, I know she is in good hands with her current defense team."

Jose Baez released this statement: "The entire defense team is grateful for his hard work on this case and wishes him well in all of his future endeavors." Baez told Eyewitness News he will be looking for another attorney to take over Macaluso's duties.

http://www.wftv.com/news/22564905/detail.html

Here's the motion filed against Macaluso by the California State Bar:

http://members.calbar.ca.gov/courtDocs/06-O-14552-1.pdf

Snaz wrote: nothing this defense has said and done makes sense.... they make the most outrageous comments..

So very true!

Snaz wrote:

Jose Baez released this statement: "The entire defense team is grateful for his hard work on this case and wishes him well in all of his future endeavors." Baez told Eyewitness News he will be looking for another attorney to take over Macaluso's duties.

Translation: "Don't let the door hit you on the way out. Good-bye & good riddens!"

There are a bunch of great attorneys in the Tampa Bay area...Wonder if he's gonna look there?..Or if any of them would want to jump on the cart...

Estee, I believe any attorney that will jump on this circus of a defense would not be a great attorney. They would probably only be looking for the publicity, just like all the others......but that's JMO......

And, dare I say it..... have questionable ethics.....

Well I must say that there are a few of those too...but let's see...If they get a truly good honest one it might help them out...That is if they can talk one into taking the hook...

hmmm... i didnt even know this gem of an attorney was still part of the defense team.. lol.

they dont need a new defense attorney, they need a miracle, which i think highly unlikely, i dont figure God cares too much for baby killers or their attorneys.

This is a pretty interesting blog entry written by Blink back in March of last year....

New Attorney Macaluso Participation Doubtful

Posted by Blink
27 March 2009 7:07 am

Orlando, Fl– Recently reported exclusively on Blinkoncrime.com, new Attorney for the tot mom’s defense team, Todd Macaluso, who was introduced to Judge Stan Strickland prior to filing his pro hac vice before the court during a motion hearing on March 3, 2009, may be out.

Is Macaluso the Madoff of law?

He blazed the interview circuit in Orlando declaring Casey Anthony’s innocence and went so far as to say she should not be in jail awaiting trail and the defense was looking into seeking another bond hearing.

Mr. Macaluso is currently undergoing disciplinary charges brought forth by the California Bar. The 10 page initiating document outlining the charges was filed January 23, 2009.

Through support of the local attorney of record, Jose Baez, Todd Macaluso filed his pro hac vice on March 12, 2009 prior to the motion hearing of his anticipated new client Casey Anthony. It was not until confronted about the California Bar Disciplinary Charges while leaving that proceeding did he apparently recover from his memory lag and filed an amended petition to appear in the case after the court had already closed, 5:47PM by fax ,to be precise, therefore not time stamped until the 13th.

The Florida Rules of Administration require the form submission for the filing CLEARLY asks the petitioner if there are any pending disciplinary actions against him. Macaluso and by way of sponsorship, Jose Baez, answered no to that question on the form filed earlier in the day.

In his amended “version” Mac claims “It has come to his attention” that there are pending disciplinary charges against him by the California Bar.

Read the rest:
http://blinkoncrime.com/2009/03/27/caseycaylee-anthony-case-new-attorney-macaluso-participation-doubtful/

Guilty, the whole bunch, the A's , and the entire defense team.

Cali

OMG... get a load of this video!

WARNING: Not for the faint of heart!!!!!