2009.04.07 Baez Under Investigation Again By Florida Bar

[Gypsy Road]

What does that mean theony? going to diversion? Do you know?

Sounds like the Bar has once again offered him a diversion plan instead of disciplinary action, but I'm not 100% sure. Sounds like he may just be getting another slap on the wrist if he takes the Bar up on their "deal".

 

[Gypsy Road]

Obviously someone is spending some effort trying to distract the defense's focus. The prior complaint was found to be without merit and if the rumor or media statement was true it came from someone on the other side of this case. If he were such a dishonorable attorney it wouldn't have taken 3 years for the complaints to start coming. I know, his former client has a complaint but that for his appeal and quite common. As Baez said, he hopes it works, for the clients sake. The last attempt to discredit him in the court room over funding went no where so now this, at the same time as another accidental leak. How long must the little boy cry wolf before he is ignored? But more importantly, when someone places harassing complaints, shouldn't they be held accountable? I read that it isn't going to be public knowledge who the persons are but I hope someone will take action, if these are more of the same. If any of the former complaints had went anywhere, I'd view this differently but....

:waitasec: IIRC, I believe one of the complaints DID go somewhere. JAB was under investigation for violating advertising rules. The Florida Bar offered him a deal instead of disciplinary action. The deal was that JAB has to take advertising courses, and upon completion JAB has to submit all of his advertisments to the Florida Bar for approval for one year.

 

[Virtual Truth]

:waitasec: IIRC, I believe one of the complaints DID go somewhere. JAB was under investigation for violating advertising rules. The Florida Bar offered him a deal instead of disciplinary action. The deal was that JAB has to take advertising courses, and upon completion JAB has to submit all of his advertisments to the Florida Bar for approval for one year.

See this link for the Florida Bar's Rules for Diversion

http://www.floridabar.org/divexe/rrtfb.nsf/FV/A5AD0ADA6E7E8BB285256EA7005EB692

ETA: Looks like he can't get diversion a second time so soon!

 

[Gypsy Road]

See this link for the Florida Bar's Rules for Diversion

http://www.floridabar.org/divexe/rrtfb.nsf/FV/A5AD0ADA6E7E8BB285256EA7005EB692

ETA: Looks like he can't get diversion a second time so soon!

Interesting!

 

[MAMABEAR]

bold, me

Yes, by all means someone needs to hold JUDGE STRICKLAND
responsible since he is the one who filed the complaint.
Brad Conway is under investigation by the FL BAR too:lamb::lamb:
Soon they will all be exposed, Anthonys included.
:biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:

Wow! I didn't know that Conway was under investigation. Wow again.

 

[MAMABEAR]

Frankly I look at this as the state protecting KC's best interests as well as their own, by insuring she receives adequate counsel. These complaints are wide, varied and cover things both minor and pretty egregious but they all form a pattern of unprofessional conduct, poor strategy choices and disregard for the law. Even the defense talking heads are agog and aghast at his antics.

From what we have seen and heard from the Anthony family regarding this man, they would be the last ones to complain if he were replaced with someone whose ability and ethics were not so challenged.

Thank You! Why has this turned into something that is "ALL ABOUT JB"? Is it to get the focus off KC murdering Caylee? Why would he keep doing shady stuff that could ruin his career? Is it to save KC? Has he laid his jacket over the mud puddle so she can get over it?

I just don't see a lawyer putting his career on the skids. I'm afraid that he isn't trying to help her. It is to help himself. What else could it be? It is the same thang KC did when she killed Caylee. To help herself. They seem to go about their business after the deed is done. He acts like this DP won't keep him quite---he isn't going anywhere---he will not sit on the back burner or sit over in a corner----he said all that, I just can't member the words he used.

 

[Gypsy Road]

I'm confused! (IMAGINE THAT :crazy Does anyone recall how many (in total) complaints have been filed with the Florida Bar against JAB? The reason I'm asking is that according to Theonly1's information that he/she called and obtained - 2 complaints have already been closed and one complaint is going into diversion. Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't JAB chose diversion over displinary action over his false advertisement on his webpage? I'm wracking my brain here - what were the other two complaints, and do they include the newest complaint Judge Strickland's filed? Help! :blowkiss:

 

[Elphaba]

Frankly I look at this as the state protecting KC's best interests as well as their own, by insuring she receives adequate counsel. These complaints are wide, varied and cover things both minor and pretty egregious but they all form a pattern of unprofessional conduct, poor strategy choices and disregard for the law. Even the defense talking heads are agog and aghast at his antics.

From what we have seen and heard from the Anthony family regarding this man, they would be the last ones to complain if he were replaced with someone whose ability and ethics were not so challenged.

Yeah, I remember George, early on, dropped words here and there that pretty much spelled out that he didn't like Baez. I honestly think that part of the reason JB didn't want Casey communicating with her parents, was that he didn't want them to influence her into dropping him as her lawyer.

While the state is the one with the case against Casey, they have to protect the integrity of justice, thus they are stepping in to make sure Casey is getting adequate counsel. If they don't, many a tax payer dollars will be wasted due to the fact that an incompetent lawyer did not adequately represent her. At the rate it is going, Baez's actions, IMO, have done nothing but hurt Casey's case. Seriously, we have all sat here and talked about how screwed up things have been in regards of Baez handling stuff in the courtroom. With such sentiment, I could easily see this case getting bogged down in retrials and such... all because Baez didn't adequately represent Casey, as her lawyer.

 

[TakeNote]

UPDATE:

It's all public record, folks. And apparently, things are done much easier than in the old days where you make copies and yadda yadda yadda.

I wonder why none of the reporters have called the Florida Bar yet?


They told me there are three complaints.

Two were closed in 2008 (and will be viewable up to one year of the date of closure).

One is open and "going to diversion".

are you going to get them and post them :biggrin: :Jumpie: :hug: :bowdown:
:dance:

 

[MAMABEAR]

I sent a request to Muzikman to please get them for us. Not online right now.

 

[OneLostGrl]

I'm not too worried about Mr. B. He has had a publicist throughout this and now has a new one who is everywhere, talking about what a boon to his business this has been, as he works on the A case and all his many other cases. According to her, he has his nose to the grindstone and barely even notices all this stuff. I mean, what's a mere four or five complaints in three years as a lawyer?

:clap::clap::clap:

 

[Theonly1]

(Bold is Mine.)Technically, you are correct based on the following link:
http://www.wftv.com/news/18568351/detail.html
6:03 pm EST January 26, 2009
A Florida Bar investigation into Casey Anthony's lawyer, Jose Baez, has been thrown out. Baez's team was accused of making some nasty statements about public officials in the case, including prosecutors. Baez was accused of violating a rule that states lawyers can not make false statements about judges and legal officials.
Baez defended himself and said he wasn't responsible for Todd Black's comments, because Black was not Baez's employee and Baez said he didn't know what Black was releasing to the media. The Florida Bar agreed and no disciplinary action was taken, but in the past Baez said Black was an employee.

However, due to subsequent information presented to the bar, including revelations about G Cabot's use of T Black as an alias and a fraudulent letter dated Nov. 8, 08 signed by Peter W Tillman, President, the Bar re-opened the investigation. So realistically, the prior complaint referred to has NOT been found to be without merit.

http://www.cfnews13.com/News/Local/2009/2/23/florida_bar_opens_another_inquiry_into_jose_baez.html
Jose Baez Faces Florida Bar Inquiry Over Ex-Spokesman
Tuesday, February 24, 2009 6:32:06 AM

The Florida Bar has another inquiry open into Casey Anthony's defense attorney.
A Bar spokeswoman would only tell the Orlando Sentinel it pertains to Jose Baez's relationship with his now-former media relations company. Since last fall, Baez's law firm referred news reporters to a spokesman named Todd Black with Press Corps Media. Black never agreed to in-person interviews with reporters, would not provide his photograph, and did not reveal his true identity. The company later confirmed three people used the name of Todd Black, and confirmed one of those was actually Gil Cabot, who was convicted of extortion.

Many links to various aspects of this complaint can be found here: The PR Firm
http://www.websleuths.com/forums/showthread.php?t=70351

Strange. I don't see where they reopened the Todd Black complaint. I got the file from the Florida Bar and it shows they closed it out on January 23, 2009. If they have reopened it they aren't telling the public (or someone in public documents is not reading the file correctly).

 

[Theonly1]

I'm confused! (IMAGINE THAT :crazy Does anyone recall how many (in total) complaints have been filed with the Florida Bar against JAB? The reason I'm asking is that according to Theonly1's information that he/she called and obtained - 2 complaints have already been closed and one complaint is going into diversion. Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't JAB chose diversion over displinary action over his false advertisement on his webpage? I'm wracking my brain here - what were the other two complaints, and do they include the newest complaint Judge Strickland's filed? Help! :blowkiss:

Exactly. I am as confused as you. Either Strickland's complaint is "private" or there was no official complaint at all.

Complaint 1: alleged non-payment court reporter service. File closed.

Complaint 2: Todd Black press releases. File closed (Jan. 23 according to what I see)

Complaint 3: ? Is this the advertising complaint "going to diversion"?

Where is Strickland's complaint?

 

[Brini]

Ok I read what you're saying although I personally don't think the whole county of Orange, Florida is in on a conspiracy to get JB. If the Judge filed a complaint based on what he heard in chambers and also that info was sealed and not made public - well I'm going with the Judge.

JB is conspiring against JB--successfully!

 

[Melanie]

I disagree. This is just my opinion, but I think/hope it would take a lot more than a he-said/he-said incident to snatch someone's license away from them.

Please tell me there's proof. At minimum, cell phone to cell phone evidence, or a call to Jose's office. While we don't need the actual conversation, they need to link the 2 via phone before yanking his license -- don't ya think? Especially if JB was on the phone with him while he was in the woods searching for Caylee. Or, have we yet to determine who he was talking to.

Best,

 

[Virtual Truth]

Exactly. I am as confused as you. Either Strickland's complaint is "private" or there was no official complaint at all.

Complaint 1: alleged non-payment court reporter service. File closed.

Complaint 2: Todd Black press releases. File closed (Jan. 23 according to what I see)

Complaint 3: ? Is this the advertising complaint "going to diversion"?

Where is Strickland's complaint?

What if:
Complaint 2 was "re-opened" based on what the Judge heard/saw in chambers in reference to WHO has the money contracts for KC/Caylee "story." Let's just assume for a moment that GC aka/Todd Black or associate holds the money contracts! If this wasn't disclosed during the original complaint, I can see where the Judge would be compelled to report it. If this is the case, I would expect discipline over diversion.

If Complaint 3 (advertising) has already gone to diversion, he can't have another diversion action for 7 years (See link below), thus making the above invalid for diversion anyway.

http://www.floridabar.org/divexe/rrtfb.nsf/FV/A5AD0ADA6E7E8BB285256EA7005EB692

 

[Theonly1]

What if:
Complaint 2 was "re-opened" based on what the Judge heard/saw in chambers in reference to WHO has the money contracts for KC/Caylee "story." Let's just assume for a moment that GC aka/Todd Black or associate holds the money contracts! If this wasn't disclosed during the original complaint, I can see where the Judge would be compelled to report it. If this is the case, I would expect discipline over diversion.

If Complaint 3 (advertising) has already gone to diversion, he can't have another diversion action for 7 years (See link below), thus making the above invalid for diversion anyway.

http://www.floridabar.org/divexe/rrtfb.nsf/FV/A5AD0ADA6E7E8BB285256EA7005EB692

Update: Complaint #3 **is** for advertising.

This means one of three things:

1. There is no Strickland complaint (ummm, not likely as the press went crazy and I'd think someone would have corrected them),
2. The Strickland complaint is not public record, or
3. The Strickland complaint is/was piggybacked to another complaint.

I'm starting to feel like I'm in All the President's Men. Cripes.

 

[Gypsy Road]

The media also reported that Dominic Casey filed a complaint with the Florida Bar against JAB the same time Judge Strickland filed one. I'll go find a link!

ETA: story is here: http://www.clickorlando.com/news/19139567/detail.html

 

[Virtual Truth]

Update: Complaint #3 **is** for advertising.

This means one of three things:

1. There is no Strickland complaint (ummm, not likely as the press went crazy and I'd think someone would have corrected them),
2. The Strickland complaint is not public record, or
3. The Strickland complaint is/was piggybacked to another complaint.

I'm starting to feel like I'm in All the President's Men. Cripes.

Exactly....my "What if for Complaint 2" from your earlier post was that Strickland's complaint (and possible the complaint by DC --if that is true) could both be "piggybacked" to the original TBlack statements complaint, and not filed as a NEW complaint--re-opened instead.

 

[Gypsy Road]

Looks like Judge Strickland's complaint was lumped into D Casey's complaint.

From above referenced article http://www.clickorlando.com/news/19139567/detail.html

"The Florida bar is now investigating Casey Anthony's defense attorney regarding the matter to see if he violated any rules.

Judge Stan Strickland also referred a complaint against Baez to the bar, but it was in reference to Casey's original complaint in order to make the bar aware of the situation."