news article:
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/breakingnews/orl-bk-casey-anthony-021909,0,656748.story
An ABC producer paid for George and Cindy Anthony to stay at one of Central Florida's most expensive hotels for three days in December after their missing granddaughter's remains were found, according to newly released testimony.
The couple stayed at the Ritz-Carlton Orlando Grande Lakes from Dec. 11 to Dec. 14 after Caylee's remains were found near their home. The company that footed the bill is owned by Disney.
The new details were part of an interview of Anthony family private investigator Dominic Casey that was taken on Jan. 7 by Orange County sheriff's Sgt. John Allen and FBI Agent Nick Savage.
The producer, a woman named Kaitlyn Folmer, made arrangements with then-Anthony spokeswoman Michelle Bart to put up the couple and two of their investigators at the hotel. Rooms at the hotel can cost between $249 and $739 per night, depending on the level of luxury.
The judge overseeing the case against Casey Anthony released Casey's 80-page transcript.
Casey once worked for attorney Jose Baez.
Judge Stan Strickland reviewed the transcript and found it contained no privileged information.
Included in the transcript were details of the Anthony family's activities the hours and days following the discovery of Caylee's remains.
The family dined at a restaurant inside the hotel the night of the discovery, according to the transcript. Meanwhile, dozens of Orange County sheriff's investigators, FBI agents and crime scene technicians sifted through dirt, leaves and underbrush for Caylee's skeletal remains.
George and Cindy dined with Lee Anthony, his girlfriend Mallory Parker, private investigators Dominic Casey and James Hoover and the ABC producer. At one point, Casey Anthony's attorney Jose Baez joined the group, according to the Casey's statement. It's unclear who paid for the meal.
Lee Anthony ordered a steak for Baez who joined them for about a half hour, the document said. He had just visited Casey Anthony in the jail and wanted to speak with the family, Casey said. The dinner was somber, Casey said.
Folmer allegedly told the Anthonys and the private investigators that she was not there to get a story. During an interview Casey told Sgt. John Allen and FBI Agent Nick Savage that he didn't believe the woman.
"She never talked about money. She never talked about pictures, videos. She did make the point to say
'You know there's no ulterior motive here. We're, we're just doing this,'" Casey said. "I'm like, 'Yeah, right. I can believe that one.'"
Later that night while Orange County detectives were executing a search warrant at the home on Hopespring Drive, Cindy Anthony sat outside the entrance to the hotel with Casey, record show. Private investigator Hoover was sent to the house to lock it up after the first search warrant was executed.
The following day, while investigators continued to scour the woods for remains, Casey joined George and Cindy Anthony as they walked around the golf course at the hotel, reports show.
Casey said the Anthonys were distraught.
JMO I know, kinda strange, just throwing things out there. Hope that makes sense, maybe in a Casey backward kind of way...
