Casey Anthony Update: Texas EquuSearch must refile claim, bankruptcy judge rules
(CBS/AP) TAMPA, Fla. - A bankruptcy judge on Tuesday granted in part Casey Anthony's request to dismiss a claim against her by Texas EquuSearch, a search and recovery organization involved in the search for 2-year-old Caylee Anthony.
The nonprofit was allotted 21 days to file another claim, the Orlando Sentinel reports.
PICTURES: Caylee and Casey Anthony, personal photos
Texas EquuSearch claims Anthony owes the organization more than $100,000 in expenses incurred during their search for Caylee. Attorneys for EquuSearch say Anthony knew her daughter was already dead when the search began in 2008 and purposely misled the group.
But Anthony's bankruptcy attorney, David Schrader, insists EquuSearch proceeded with the searches even after becoming aware that Anthony had been charged with murder and lying to law enforcement.
Anthony was acquitted of murder in her daughter's death but her attorney, Jose Baez, said the girl drowned accidentally in a family swimming pool. Anthony was ultimately convicted of four misdemeanors for lying to law enforcement. Two of those counts were reversed on appeal.
EquuSearch filed their lawsuit prior to Anthony filing bankruptcy in January. While this put the lawsuit on hold, the group maintains that Anthony should not be discharged from the $100,000 debt because of the filing.
In January, Anthony claimed just $1,000 in assets and $792,000 in liabilities.