Casey Anthony files for bankruptcy; Attorney says she wants fresh start

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — WFTV is learning new details about what Casey Anthony's life has been like since she was acquitted of murdering her daughter, Caylee, last year.

Over the weekend, WFTV learned Casey’s attorneys filed her for bankruptcy with the Middle District of Florida on Friday.

In the bankruptcy filing, Casey is claiming $1,084 in total assets, and her total liabilities are more than $750,000.

Casey's listed assets include clothes, jewelry, two digital cameras and a bicycle.

One of Casey’s attorneys, Andy Chmelir, said there's no end in sight and she's not making money off the trial.

"There are no book deals, there is no money, there are no movie deals," said Chmelir.

Another attorney for Casey, Charles Greene, said Casey decided to file for bankruptcy in an effort to create a fresh start financially and emotionally.

“It was her decision to say, ‘I’ve got to stop it, stop the bleeding,’” said Greene.

Some of the creditors listed in the documents include attorneys, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, a bail bondsman, Cindy and George Anthony, the Orange County Sheriff's Office and various consultants.

Casey is still unemployed and she has been living in Cape Canaveral, Channel 9’s Anthony DiLorenzo learned.

The bankruptcy filing may have an effect on Casey Anthony's pending civil cases, including a defamation lawsuit filed by Zenaida Gonzalez, who Casey claimed kidnapped her daughter.

Gonzalez's attorney, Matt Morgan, released the following statement to WFTV regarding the bankruptcy filing:

"This most recent filing appears to be yet another calculated delay tactic. We are not deterred and will stay the course."

When asked about the timing of the filing, Chmelir responded by saying, "There are no hearings, there is no trial dates that have been set, so, if anything, this is going to expedite the resolution of all pending matters that Ms. Anthony has."

Greene said the Chapter 7 filing puts a stop to it all and potentially for a federal court judge to decide.

"It's designed, for people who can't afford to defend themselves, a pause," said Greene.

But Morgan said he's optimistic he'll get their day in court.

"What she would like is for the bankruptcy judge to throw out any and all claims against her, and it's not going to happen," Morgan said.

In the meantime, WFTV found Casey's team was trying to sell her story as recently as last month, though Greene claims Casey passed up lucrative tell-all's to profit off of tragedy.

"Of course, Caylee. What really happened? No matter what happened (it's) a very sad and troubling tale and she's not ready to talk about it," said Greene.

If Casey's creditors don't make any claims against her, the bankruptcy case could be finalized between 90 to 120 days.

WFTV