Florida Bar clears Jose Baez of ethics charges
The Florida Bar has cleared José Baez, Casey Anthony's defense attorney, of ethics allegations made by a private investigator who worked on the case, according to documents obtained Monday by the Orlando Sentinel.
Members of the Bar's Grievance Committee found "insufficient evidence" that Baez did anything wrong, according to a letter from the Bar.
Dominic Casey, the investigator, alerted the Bar about two issues involving Baez, who represents Anthony in the murder case that arose from the disappearance last summer of her daughter, Caylee Marie.
One issue concerned a discussion the investigator said he had with Baez about doing something other than calling 911 if he found the missing toddler.
Caylee Marie disappeared in mid-June 2008. Her body was found in December in woods less than a mile from her home. Dominic Casey looked in those woods several weeks before she was discovered.
The Bar committee reviewed documents and interviewed Baez and others.
The attorney told the Bar that he did not recall the conversation and he would never instruct Casey to walk away and call him if the private investigator found the child, according to the Bar letter.
Casey also raised another issue dealing with payment for his services. Baez advised the Bar that he would review appropriate invoices and discuss them with the investigator.
Baez said Monday that he was pleased with how the investigation ended.
"I think we've had plenty of unsubstantiated accusations in this case," Baez said. "And it only motivates me to fight harder."
Anthony, 23, is awaiting trial on a first-degree murder charge in the death of her daughter.
Copyright © 2009, Orlando Sentinel
