Casey Anthony's Newest Defense Attorney Under Investigation

Todd Macaluso, newly introduced member to the Jose Baez Law Firm Defense Team, is under investigation for a check written on his behalf for $108, 000.00.

It is alleged the check did not clear funds available.

It is unclear if the check in question is a Client escrow account or a direct check from Macaluso’s professional or personal funds.

WFTV’s Kathi Belich asked Macaluso about the issue following the end of the Motions hearing today to which he replied “the matter is being resolved.”

As of 5PM EST today, no Pro Hac Vice motion has been submitted to Judge Strickland on Macaluso’s behalf, although he has given several interviews espousing the defense position on the case.

A lawsuit filed in Federal Court in July 2003 on behalf of a former litigant to a suit led by Macaluso, the former Cytodyne Technologies, currently operating under the name Nutraquest, Inc, alleges that Macaluso and a reporter for the San Diego Union Tribune conspired to slant their coverage to attract more Clients for Macaluso and defame Cytodyne.

The suit identifies Pennie Crabtree as the wife of Richard Pittner, a senior researcher at SanDiego based Amylin Pharmaceuticals, who is developing an anti obesity drug. The suit accuses Crabtree of a direct conflict of interest, in that Cytodyne and her husband’s company were potentially direct competitors.

Macaluso is slated to appear at a status hearing in front of the California bar in LA on March 24, 2009 on the check issue.