ARUBA - Robyn Gardner, 35, Maryland woman missing in Aruba, 2 Aug 2011 - # 8

[katydid23]

I thought he had a personal injury lawyer who could have informed him he needed to file a missing persons report, move away and wait for further developments back in the States.
Why would his lawyer advise him to do things that would needlessly raise suspicion even more since he was only considered a witness at this point?

I don't know why the attorney told him to call, IF HE DID THAT.
I am curious to see what really transpired between them/

I don't know why the attorney didn't handle all of those calls and ask those preliminary questions instead of exposing his client to that suspicion.

 

[LambChop]

-bolded by me.

If Giordano did not harm Robyn I can see him not worrying about AEX calling LE.
If he murdered her for money (which some people are convinced of) ; I cannot believe that anyone who would murder another person for money would not be extremely cautious, being under continues stress, watch and rethink every move they make. Him being completely careless about AMEX and all the other things mentioned throughout this discussion that does not make sense.



But that suit would not be filed in Aruba, and he would have a language barrier (Lopez studied in Holland), he could get that advice soon as a suit would be filed back in Maryland.

But Lopez not only isn't a personal injury lawyer, it is not even his expertise.

He was not worried that someone suspected him because at the time LE did not. I'm saying that it is possible if AMEX called LE and told them GG was acting like he hit the lottery it would have raised a suspicion big time. GG would not have expected AMEX to call Aruba to verify because he was just reporting her missing and asking questions.

Her family would not file in Aruba. They would file here, IMO. He was looking for advice when he contacted ML as a personal injury attorney. It doesn't matter if ML wears 20 different hats, JB said specifically that GG hired ML as a personal injury attorney (and any attorney could do it you don't have to be an expert). So the key here is why??? GG was asking for advice regarding the insurance money and what claims her family could make against his claim. It's JB that brought this to everyone's attention. Had he not mentioned it, we would be no wiser. jmo

 

[vlpate]

-respectfully snipped by me.

I think he told Lopez that he had a travel insurance on Robyn, if she was found things would have to be arranged.

Aside that maybe Giordano was worried, after all he knew about the 1,5 million policy, and since it was not likely Robyn would re appear alive he could have had concern that he became a suspect at some point. It may have been the very reason why he got a lawyer.

I was just giving you a hard time - the attorney in Aruba is Michael, not Mario - I think you just have Mario on your mind

As for the insurance being so important to GG - I wonder whose insurance Natalee Holloway was on. I wonder if her mother called to get the DL on it the day she went missing, or the next day, the next week - ? I wouldn't know for sure, but I'd bet good money it wasn't a priority for her.

 

[Micheline]

He was in such a hurry according to the agent he faxed everything over instead of mailing it in before he left. He wanted to make sure he had that insurance coverage.

Ah OK, I thought you said he called them 4 times from Aruba.

JB claims ML was acting as a personal injury attorney who tried to get GG to sign an agreement to take 1/3 of the insurance money. At the time, GG was not a suspect.

Yes I heard him say that too, Lopez is not a personal injury lawyer, but Baez said he was.

He did not become a suspect until after he made those calls to AMEX. The agent from AMEX claimed he called four times and this was reported early on when GG was first arrested.

I thought (but correct me if I am wrong) that the info about the 1,5 million policy came out after August 15, there is an interview with Stein on August 17 in which he said they still did not know whether Giordano was the benificiary. He was a suspect already on August 7, so prior to the whole insurance information came about (or when exactly did the AMEX agent make the call to LE?)

According to JB GG was not planning on hiring ML as a criminal attorney but for as a personal injury attorney which could involve a wrongful death suit. JB said it. He can't take it back. I don't see any other explanation for hiring a personal injury attorney.

I did not hear that, JB claimed Lopez was a personal injury lawyer, not that Giordano was not planning to hire him as a criminal lawyer. Giordano had Lopez for quite some time before he got Lejuez, and while already in jail for months even.IMO

Insurance companies need to verify a death and since there was no body yet they would have called the Aruban authorities to get a report. jmo

I do not think Giordano reported her to be death (missing yes), they were still searching for Robyn, she was a missing person at that point, I do not think AMEX would verify a death in a missing person's case. IMO

 

[LambChop]

I don't know why the attorney told him to call, IF HE DID THAT.
I am curious to see what really transpired between them/

I don't know why the attorney didn't handle all of those calls and ask those preliminary questions instead of exposing his client to that suspicion.

My guess is the attorney did not know until after the fact. If you notice, on the policy he listed RG as his partner. She was not his partner. They were just traveling together. So would her family have had rights to that insurance claim? I'll bet that relationship question has some meaning to the insurance company and he was nervous about it. I think he went to the attorney after he made those calls because of the questions he was being asked by the insurance company. jmo

 

[Micheline]

He was not worried that someone suspected him because at the time LE did not. I'm saying that it is possible if AMEX called LE and told them GG was acting like he hit the lottery it would have raised a suspicion big time. GG would not have expected AMEX to call Aruba to verify because he was just reporting her missing and asking questions.

There is something strange about this, "Giordano acted as if he had hit the lottery", if he all planned this then it was no news to him that Robyn had disappeared and that there was a 1.5 million dollar policy since that was the plan and it was already two days later after he had carried out his plan (if that is the scenario you believe), so why would he act as if he hit the lottery?

IMO someone acting like he hit the lottery would display disbelieve, scream of joy, being baffled over the sudden huge amount of money that had become theirs totally unexpectedly.

How exactly does one act like he hit the lottery over the phone? WoHoo etc?

Her family would not file in Aruba. They would file here, IMO. He was looking for advice when he contacted ML as a personal injury attorney. It doesn't matter if ML wears 20 different hats, JB said specifically that GG hired ML as a personal injury attorney (and any attorney could do it you don't have to be an expert). So the key here is why??? GG was asking for advice regarding the insurance money and what claims her family could make against his claim. It's JB that brought this to everyone's attention. Had he not mentioned it, we would be no wiser. jmo

Maybe Baez wanted to portray Lopez in a negative light, claiming he was after the insurance money in an attempt to silence rumors that Giordano acted like hit the lottery.

 

[LambChop]

Ah OK, I thought you said he called them 4 times from Aruba.



Yes I heard him say that too, Lopez is not a personal injury lawyer, but Baez said he was.



I thought (but correct me if I am wrong) that the info about the 1,5 million policy came out after August 15, there is an interview with Stein on August 17 in which he said they still did not know whether Giordano was the benificiary. He was a suspect already on August 7, so prior to the whole insurance information came about (or when exactly did the AMEX agent make the call to LE?)



I did not hear that, JB claimed Lopez was a personal injury lawyer, not that Giordano was not planning to hire him as a criminal lawyer. Giordano had Lopez for quite some time before he got Lejuez, and while already in jail for months even.IMO



I do not think Giordano reported her to be death (missing yes), they were still searching for Robyn, she was a missing person at that point, I do not think AMEX would verify a death in a missing person's case. IMO

The fax was prior to his leaving Aruba (night before, I believe). He called the insurance company four times is what was reported from Aruba the following day.

Any attorney can do personal injury (it's fall down, auto accidents, etc.). They can all do it and it requires no expertise. JB stated that GG originally hired ML as a personal injury attorney (this was before he was a suspect). GG did not originally hire ML as a criminal attorney. JB then stated that it was a conflict of interest for ML to represent him as a criminal attorney (because he had originally hired him as a personal injury attorney). It makes no sense but then it's coming from JB. But the point is JB is saying (without intending to do so) GG hired ML because of the insurance money and had nothing to do with GG being a suspect.

GG reported her missing by way of a drowning, missing and presumed dead. Insurance companies immediately give you a claim number and start the process. I worked for insurance companies in the past in their legal department. If, in fact, this agent felt there was something hinky with GG and his happy-go-lucky attitude at the possible death of his "partner", as he listed her on his insurance form, you can bet your sweet bippy they would have made that call to verify the information.

GG dropped ML because ML would not give JB any information on GG's case. jmo

 

[LambChop]

There is something strange about this, "Giordano acted as if he had hit the lottery", if he all planned this then it was no news to him that Robyn had disappeared and that there was a 1.5 million dollar policy since that was the plan and it was already two days later after he had carried out his plan (if that is the scenario you believe), so why would he act as if he hit the lottery?

IMO someone acting like he hit the lottery would display disbelieve, scream of joy, being baffled over the sudden huge amount of money that had become theirs totally unexpectedly.

How exactly does one act like he hit the lottery over the phone? WoHoo etc?



Maybe Baez wanted to portray Lopez in a negative light, claiming he was after the insurance money in an attempt to silence rumors that Giordano acted like hit the lottery.

I have no idea why he was so happy. That was the insurance agent's description of how he sounded. We have seen him on the media shows and it is clear he could say anything that would spike anyone's hinky meter. He is a loose cannon for sure.

JB did want to discredit ML and tried. Problem is he gave too much information in the balance claiming GG hired ML as a PI attorney and was trying to get 1/3 of the insurance money. JB should have known better. But then he didn't have CM there to tell him to keep his mouth shut. jmo

 

[katydid23]

There is something strange about this, "Giordano acted as if he had hit the lottery", if he all planned this then it was no news to him that Robyn had disappeared and that there was a 1.5 million dollar policy since that was the plan and it was already two days later after he had carried out his plan (if that is the scenario you believe), so why would he act as if he hit the lottery?

IMO someone acting like he hit the lottery would display disbelieve, scream of joy, being baffled over the sudden huge amount of money that had become theirs totally unexpectedly.

How exactly does one act like he hit the lottery over the phone? WoHoo etc?



Maybe Baez wanted to portray Lopez in a negative light, claiming he was after the insurance money in an attempt to silence rumors that Giordano acted like hit the lottery.

There is something strange about it, I agree. Usually, if a claimant calls an ins. company concerning a missing person, they would be somber and serious. Apparently his attitude was a cause for concern.

How do you sound like a lottery winner? maybe you sound upbeat and enthusiastic, as opposed to sad and worried.

Look at the pictures that were posted upthread of GG talking to the first responders. He is smiling in some of them. And this is just hours after she went missing.

 

[rossva]

I have no idea, but just because I do not know how it could have happened, doesn't mean it didn't happen. Perhaps that's the reason no body has washed up on the shore; some trafficker just happened to snatch out of the water before she drowned, revived her, and kidnapped her?

But GG claims that she went snorkeling and went under water and drowned. So how would she end up in the hands of traffickers?

 

[LambChop]

I have no idea, but just because I do not know how it could have happened, doesn't mean it didn't happen. Perhaps that's the reason no body has washed up on the shore; some trafficker just happened to snatch out of the water before she drowned, revived her, and kidnapped her?

I think it's not realistic to believe this when he claims she disappeared in 10 to 15 foot of open water with no one around to help them. You can see 15 miles in the water in all directions at that point. Anything is possible but not necessarily probable. I think this is one of those cases. jmo

 

[vlpate]

He was not worried that someone suspected him because at the time LE did not. I'm saying that it is possible if AMEX called LE and told them GG was acting like he hit the lottery it would have raised a suspicion big time. GG would not have expected AMEX to call Aruba to verify because he was just reporting her missing and asking questions.

Her family would not file in Aruba. They would file here, IMO. He was looking for advice when he contacted ML as a personal injury attorney. It doesn't matter if ML wears 20 different hats, JB said specifically that GG hired ML as a personal injury attorney (and any attorney could do it you don't have to be an expert). So the key here is why??? GG was asking for advice regarding the insurance money and what claims her family could make against his claim. It's JB that brought this to everyone's attention. Had he not mentioned it, we would be no wiser. jmo

Maybe it's protocol for Amex to contact authorities when someone calls them asking about life/death/accident/search/drug trafficker insurance - especially when they mention that person is missing. It's probably somewhere in their training to report the call to police...especially if GG sounded happy - which any winner of the lottery would.

 

[rossva]

So, because RG is a female, and GG is a male, if he was missing and presumed drowned/dead, no one would question her (being a caring person and all) as to why she did not stop a drunk/high person from going in to the water?

That's an amazing defense strategy for smaller people.

#3 Originally Posted by MaryAnn
Probably not. GG was a large Man, and I highly doubt that Robyn (without any weapon) could get the upper hand on hm.

#1 Originally Posted by MaryAnn
Wouldn't a caring person stop someone who was drunk/high from going into the ocean?

#2 Originally Posted by rossva
What if that caring person was also drunk/high at the same time? If it was GG that never came back, would people be asking RG that same question?

 

[katydid23]

I have no idea, but just because I do not know how it could have happened, doesn't mean it didn't happen. Perhaps that's the reason no body has washed up on the shore; some trafficker just happened to snatch out of the water before she drowned, revived her, and kidnapped her?

I have no doubt that when and if this goes to trial, this will be Jose's version of events. No doubt whatsoever.

 

[katydid23]

So, because RG is a female, and GG is a male, if he was missing and presumed drowned/dead, no one would question her (being a caring person and all) as to why she did not stop a drunk/high person from going in to the water?

That's an amazing defense strategy for smaller people.

#3 Originally Posted by MaryAnn
Probably not. GG was a large Man, and I highly doubt that Robyn (without any weapon) could get the upper hand on hm.

#1 Originally Posted by MaryAnn
Wouldn't a caring person stop someone who was drunk/high from going into the ocean?

#2 Originally Posted by rossva
What if that caring person was also drunk/high at the same time? If it was GG that never came back, would people be asking RG that same question?

Here is the difference: If GG went missing, the million dollar payout would go to his children, and not RG.

 

[vlpate]

I have no idea, but just because I do not know how it could have happened, doesn't mean it didn't happen. Perhaps that's the reason no body has washed up on the shore; some trafficker just happened to snatch out of the water before she drowned, revived her, and kidnapped her?

Sex traffickers are not interested in anything but teens and young girls - he'd have thrown her back.

FWIW, I think Robyn is a lovely girl...just saying she's no spring chicken in a sex trafficker's eyes.

 

[rossva]

LambChop - have there been any reports on how good GG's vision is? Does he wear corrective lenses, or contacts normally that he may not have been wearing while in the water?

But, your point about being able to see 15 miles in the water in all directions does make it possible that a trafficker in a boat did spot her floating, grab her, revive her, and kidnap her, doesn't it?

For the record, I personally have no set opinion on what happened to RG - there is a possibility those thinking the worst for her, and of, GG may be correct. But, I think there may be just not enough evidence to think both GG and RG happened in to the worst series of events they could have.

I think it's not realistic to believe this when he claims she disappeared in 10 to 15 foot of open water with no one around to help them. You can see 15 miles in the water in all directions at that point. Anything is possible but not necessarily probable. I think this is one of those cases. jmo

 

[vlpate]

There is something strange about it, I agree. Usually, if a claimant calls an ins. company concerning a missing person, they would be somber and serious. Apparently his attitude was a cause for concern.

How do you sound like a lottery winner? maybe you sound upbeat and enthusiastic, as opposed to sad and worried.

Look at the pictures that were posted upthread of GG talking to the first responders. He is smiling in some of them. And this is just hours after she went missing.

So funny, Roy Kronk's son said the same thing about Kronk when he told him about finding Caylee's remains. Sort of ironic.

As for him smiling - IMO, he's a typical arrogant male who has gotten by with being physically abusive with women so many times, he feels invincible and -sure he's so good he can get out of murder. IMO, of course.

 

[BiancaS]

LambChop - have there been any reports on how good GG's vision is? Does he wear corrective lenses, or contacts normally that he may not have been wearing while in the water?

But, your point about being able to see 15 miles in the water in all directions does make it possible that a trafficker in a boat did spot her floating, grab her, revive her, and kidnap her, doesn't it?

For the record, I personally have no set opinion on what happened to RG - there is a possibility those thinking the worst for her, and of, GG may be correct. But, I think there may be just not enough evidence to think both GG and RG happened in to the worst series of events they could have.

I'm blind as a bat without my contacts or glasses, but I would not miss something the size of a boat. If the boat was moving fast enough for GG to not see it while he was looking in the other direction for a minute or two, the sound of the motor would have been noticeable. The biggest downfall for GG, IMO, is that he thinks he is smarter than everyone else. For example, he forged documents in a lawsuit against an employment firm and dropped it as soon as he realized they were onto him. He thought the NH case made Aruba a perfect place for his plan. He's broke, he has a house he can't afford, is behind on child support, and thought that a little insurance fraud would go unnoticed. Unfortunately for GG, he is not as sharp as he thinks he is. All my opinion, but I think I'm pretty close to the truth.

 

[rossva]

I didn't mean that GG might have missed a boat, only perhaps he missed seeing RG, who floated further out, and she was spotted by a boat, and said boat zipped in and grabbed her while GG was no longer on site. A person can float for quite sometime. She may not have drowned at all, she was alledgedly a strong swimmer.

I'm blind as a bat without my contacts or glasses, but I would not miss something the size of a boat. If the boat was moving fast enough for GG to not see it while he was looking in the other direction for a minute or two, the sound of the motor would have been noticeable. The biggest downfall for GG, IMO, is that he thinks he is smarter than everyone else. For example, he forged documents in a lawsuit against an employment firm and dropped it as soon as he realized they were onto him. He thought the NH case made Aruba a perfect place for his plan. He's broke, he has a house he can't afford, is behind on child support, and thought that a little insurance fraud would go unnoticed. Unfortunately for GG, he is not as sharp as he thinks he is. All my opinion, but I think I'm pretty close to the truth.