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Judge orders Casey Anthony to answer some questions in deposition

TAMPA, Fla. — Casey Anthony's lawyers told a Tampa bankruptcy judge Tuesday that they're worried Anthony will face new charges if she's forced to answer every question under oath in her defamation lawsuit.

Anthony's lawyers said they are worried their client could be at risk for federal perjury charges if she answers all of the questions in the defamation lawsuit.

Anthony was acquitted of first-degree murder charges following a high-profile 2011 trial. She was charged in the death of her 2-year-old daughter Caylee.

Anthony wouldn't answer questions about her daughter when Zenaida Gonzalez's lawyers questioned her under oath during a January deposition as part of a civil suit.

Following her daughter's disappearance, Anthony initially said a woman named Zenaida Gonzalez took her.

Gonzalez's attorneys said Anthony was cold and angry when asked about Caylee during the deposition.

On Tuesday, the bankruptcy judge ruled that for now she does not have to answer those questions, but must answer questions about why she appeared to change her story and later deny she ever cleared Gonzalez in Caylee's disappearance.

Gonzalez's lawyers said they are disappointed.

"I think he's trying to be protective of this ultimate trial," said Gonzalez attorney Scott Shuker.

Anthony's lawyers believe Gonzalez is trying to set her up for federal perjury charges.

The deposition transcript shows that when Anthony was asked if she had told investigators the truth about what happened to Caylee what would the truth be. Her lawyer Cheney Mason objected and said her answer could incriminate her.

"It's obvious in this case that the truth is not going to set you free. It is clear that if she tells the truth Cheney has to be worried about some federal prosecution or federal charges," said Channel 9 legal correspondent Bill Sheaffer.

Sheaffer said if Anthony's answers in the case contradict what she told federal investigators in 2008 she could face a federal perjury charge.

The federal judge told Gonzalez's lawyers on Tuesday to call him immediately if Anthony keeps refusing to answer questions concerning what she said about Gonzalez. He said he would make sure she answers them.