Greg Padilla on Leonard Padilla and Why Bailing Out Casey Anthony Was a Smart Move

August 21, 2008

Despite the fact that they are both bounty hunters who live in the same area and work on the same streets, it has been over a decade since Leonard and Greg Padilla have had a single conversation.

Neither brother will comment on what led to their family feud; however, despite their differences, Greg, who also works as a bail agent, stands behind his brother and supports his decision to bail out Casey Anthony, mother of missing three-year-old Caylee Anthony.

"I am sticking up for Leonard on this. We are both on the same page," Greg said in an interview with Investigation Discovery. "There is a missing three-year-old kid out there somewhere, and I would love to see her found alive."

Greg also feels strongly that Leonard will be able to get information out of Casey that will lead him to Caylee.

"Leonard can find anybody. He's the best in the business," Greg said. "You can't hide from him. If he can talk to Casey Anthony, he will get enough information to find out what happened to Caylee. You have to keep in mind that we have a better chance than the police of getting information out of somebody. Most people clam up when they see a badge. They fear the police, whereas they can trust us."

According to Greg, the smallest clue can often crack a case wide open.

"Every little thing you get, whether it be a partial license plate number or a partial name, you tug on it and you pull on it until it breaks. You burn every lead out, and eventually you will find the person."

Greg said he does not have an opinion on what happened to Caylee, admitting that there are dozens of possible scenarios, some of which he himself has seen play out in other cases during his 30-year career.

"I don't know Casey's history, so I can't say for certain what might have happened to Caylee, but I have seen cases like this before where drugs played a key role in the case," Greg said. "I have seen where people have gone into a house and cut a kid up while the mother was sitting there because she hadn't paid her dope bill. I've also seen cases where mothers have traded their baby for the love of a man. Anything's possible. You can't rule anything out."

When asked if his brother bailed Casey out because of a bounty hunter TV show he is hosting on the National Geographic channel, Greg had this to say:

"Leonard has always chased a camera, but that is not why he is doing this. It is so upsetting that people accuse him of wanting the free publicity. They don't know him, so they have no right to speculate on why he is getting her out of jail."

When ID spoke with Leonard yesterday, he had little to say about his 15-year family feud.

"We don't agree on a lot of things," Leonard said. "He is a Republican, and I'm not. We're both tough."

Only time will tell if Leonard will be able to solve this case and whether the two brothers will work out their differences.  In the meantime, everyone will continue to hope for Caylee's safe return.

Discuss The Case

Related Links:
Full Coverage : Casey Anthony Case
Greg Padilla Bail Bonds

Photo Credits:
Greg Padilla's photo courtesy of Greg Padilla
Leonard Padilla's photo: Associated Press

Comments

[Waiting on Forensics]

Oh if they don't find Caylee, a wonderful second-place prize would be to see these brothers reunite and just be brothers. Ten years is a terribly long time to feud - and none of us is getting younger.

I'm praying for these Padilla brothers to work it out and celebrate the fact that they HAVE a brother!

In the meantime, I also pray they find Caylee alive. I still believe in the Constitution. If Casey Anthony is innocent, her Constitutional Rights have been badly trampled on.

Of course on the other hand, if she's harmed her daughter - there's always the lethal injection.

[Richard]

Casey's not going to talk to you! You should stick to bounty hunting because your a fool for bailing the liar Casey out of jail. Everyone in the United States believes shes guilty. You have a crush on her is the only reason I can think of for you bailing her out of jail. Why don't you help some one whom is Innocent like some people in prison. Thats right you want out do Dog the Bounty Hunter but Dog is not as slimy as you.

[Pat]

Also, did anyone else hear that her first reaction and request when she got home was that she wanted to take a shower? I guess she even said that before she left jail. Looks like her priorities are still in line, just like when she was partying while the kid was gone.

[007]

Re: Waiting on Forensics

Please speak for yourself, not for "Everyone in the United States".

[Susan]

Ok, I think the parents and the bounty hunter are getting a bum wrap here. Let me tell you, if I had the money, I would have bailed her out of jail to try and get some answers too. I commend him on taking a chance. He already has enough publicity, he didn't need all of this. He's set with everything he has going on now. I read this stuff all of the time and it almost sounds like some people want the baby dead so that they can say, "See, I told you so." Is that what this is about? I am not saying that I believe Casey is innocent. No matter what, he child is missing and she didn't report it and chose to party instead. She is sick. But you know what? I am not going to think she killed the baby until I have evidence. Part of me thinks that maybe the police haven't come out with the results from the trunk because there was nothing there. I believe 80% that Casey hurt her, but for that sake of that poor innocent child, I am going to pray that that other 20% wins out. Before you go putting her in jail for murder, just remember it's not about Casey, it's about Caylee. She will be brought to justice eventually, we all know that. But in the meantime, if there is the slightest chance that Caylee is alive, let's focus our energy and positive thouhts on finding her. Casey isn't going anywhere and right now she's about useless as far as finding her daughter. Let's all keep looking at every child that we see and just hope and pray that one day we will see Caylee. I want this child to be alive and as much bad press that the grandmother is getting, I would love to be able to bring that little baby home to her. Casey can do her time in jail, that's fine. But I do believe the bond that baby knows and the unconditional love she was given, was given by the grandmother. She's not the monster that everyone makes her out to be. Not the brightest crayon in the box either with some of her comments, but she is just trying her best to hold on to the hope that her grandbaby's coming home. Her heart is breaking and none of us can really imagine what she is going through. The same with the father and the brother. Cut them some slack right now. Even when they say things that we think are a little off the wall, we really don't know what they are going through. Besides, if Casey did anything, she isn't going to be able to stay out of the limelight long enough to not incriminate herself. She likes attention so stop giving it to her. It's never been about her little girl. Let's not feed her ego, leave her alone.

[Bay]

I can understand the anguish that the Anthony family is having,just put yourself in their shoes for one day.I have prayed for the precious angel to be found, I also had a dream, in my dream I saw Casey approaching a white arched bridge, she was hesitant to cross the bridge, she was clutching a small box to her chest (approx.size of a hat box)she started crossing the bridge but showed no emotions on her face, she was very solemn, the bridge was surrounded by beautiful blooming flowers and Azaleas, also there was a brook running beneath the bridge. This dream was so vivid and I don't know the significance of my dream,so I tried to analyze it, maybe the box represents the truth that she is holding back, so maybe the truth will be found if a box is located. My heart weeps for this sweet beautiful baby to be found.

[Melissa]

007 I have to agree with you 100%. None of us know what we would say or how we would think if we were faced with this situation. I cannot imagine how Casey's parents are feeling right now knowing that their daughter may have hurt their granddaughter. How are they supposed to choose between Casey and Caylee when they don't even know the truth yet. Give the family some slack. All they want is Caylee home safe and sound and reassurance that it wasn't Casey's fault. However, I do believe that in the back of their minds they know it is a true possibility. I feel that Casey most likely did something to hurt little Caylee but whether purposely or accidental she is terrified to tell the truth. But at the same time, I just can't help but hold on to some hope that the little girl is still alive and ok. I pray for the Anthony family and for Caylee's safe return everyday.

[linda harris]

there are always more than one or two sides to a story and a lot of times even more than that..depends on who all is involved..im with padilla on this..better atmosphere, better food,out of jail, shower and all the amenities of home can make all the difference..my concern now is that the possibility exists for self harm now...in jail she was constantly monitored and on suicide watch probably...at home is diffferent story...i just hope this all plays out for the child..there is a kind of loss of hope thing going on here..until there is more evidence you cant just say shes guilty of anything other than neglect and potential harm to a child and lying to police and parents and whoever would care to listen i suppose..my heart goes out to the grandparents and to caylee...only concern with casey is that the law be followed and her rights protected same as anyone elses because except by the grace of god could go you or i as we all know these days...jail usually equals guilty and you have to prove your innocence....all it takes is a rumor folks and all your rights are violated..this girl is probably guilty of what not sure yet legally that is...but she does ahve the right to a fair trial and all and fair treatment...lot of innocent people go to jail...

[Sheila C.]

Dearest Fellows,

Why do I have to remind everyone that only God is imminent (all knowing)and that speculation (even from the honorable judge that precided over the bond hearing)is only a guess...albeit sometimes a "logical one"? She may really be innocent because not one of us has enough experience and knowledge to know for sure what could have happened as we have not experienced everything.

We are to take the evidence (there hasn't been enough)and give a verdict based on that (we are not the jury...the jury gets to hear EVERYTHING you and I are not privy to.

Please be loving. All who condemn the Anthony's for not being bright (refering to the grandmother here), or for the grandfather or brother possibly being the "father" of said missing child, I am appalled. I was adopted for my I. Q., yet, if you watched some films of me you would think I was not the "brightest crayon". I appreciate your bit of concern for the Anthony's who have the squeakiest record, yet,almost all people (maybe because the press does this)refers to them as having screws missing. Please apologize to this family and stop gossiping about things of which you or nobody knows anything about. I have nothing but admiration for this intelligent family who is going through what probably a lot of people in America are going through but didn't get attention. Make no mistake. Our investigators have my utmost respect. You don't get to be an investigator unless you know what you are doing. Love to all the blind who like to follow the blind.

[Sherry C.]

Padilla thinks Casey will talk to him. Casey's lawyer told her not to talk under any circumstances to anyone. Her lawyer doesn't seem to care about Caylee's safe return, only his own neck. If I were Padilla I would've put a time limit on Casey to tell him where Caylee is or back to jail she goes! Padilla said Caylee would be found by him in 5 days. This is day 1.

[Suzanne]

When I heard her phone call from jail "All they care about is finding Caylee" - that was the nail in the coffin for me.
Hands down Casey Anthon is a psycopathic murderer of her own child.

[julie]

I was quite worried when Padilla and his nephew Rob got together and decided to post bond for Casey. i was afraid they would interfere and get the case messed up a lot more than it is now. that being said they are at least putting forth an effort to check the clues that are out there . they have been in that business for quite a while and if they did not know what they were doing they would have been out of business a long time ago. who knows they may know a lot more at this time than they are saying . i know Padilla may look like a country bumpkin but sometimes appearances are deceiving. i still hold out hope for Caylee may god bless

[Gina]

If this beautiful baby girl is not deceased Her mother sold her. I truly believe this mother sold her child to some putrid black market

[Meg]

I think it is presumptuous to blame the Anthony grandparents of any wrongdoing. They seem to be reacting the way I would expect in this type of situation.

But I think any judgment being passed on Casey is fueled by her own actions and words. She has repeatedly lied to her family, friends and the police. She has done nothing to help find her daughter, and in fact may have eliminated any early leads by failing to report her disappearance until a month after the fact. The phone calls from jail aren't filled with concern for Caylee, they're full of concern for herself.

As a mother of a young daughter I can tell you she is not reacting the way a mother should. It's plain for all to see, and this is why people rail against her. I can't really blame them. I think she caused the death of her daughter somehow and her biggest fear is being incarcerated. How would she be able to hit the nightclubs then?!

If she wants people to stop hounding her she should start trying to find her daughter and stop acting like a egocentric sociopath.

[cripchick]

Enough with this sympathy for Casey Anthony! She as guilty as the day is long. She's done nothing but lie to the police. She sent them on a wild goosechase telling one lie after another. She knows damn well what happened to that baby. Mother's freak out and call the police when their children go missing. They don't party and they don't borrow shovels.

[Patricia]

Julie, I agree with you... Padilla put 50,000 of his own money to bail out Casey..I don't think he wants to loose a penny of it. & I don't think he will look like a fool in the end like everyone is already predicting..He will be able to Observe Casey's demeanor without having to ask a question.. so I believe he has something up his sleeve..

[Dakdude3]

I have been on a couple of other blogs, one in particular that there is so much negativity and condemnation for Casey and no glimmer of hope for Caylee. All the do is bash,bash,bash the mom and the grandparents. This is the most positive and openminded blog I have seen and Its nice to know that not all people are narrowminded.

[julie]

DAKdude3, i noticed that also, if you are new to that certain blog they ignore you also. Speaking for myself this is the best one that i have found.

[John]

Casey Anthony: Idiot, Attorney: Idiot. Bounty Hunter: Enabler/Idiot Mother: Idiot. Father: Idiot

There may not be much we can do right now in the anthony case, but there are things you can do for others right in your own neighborhood. Help someone in need.

[Jess]

What happened to the clothing they found in a wooded area by where Casey's car was towed. Has anyone asked the granparents if they even recognize the clothing as clothing belonging to the missing toddler or the mother?

[Jess]

Another comment about bailing the mom out. I don't think that the real good reasons for bailing the mother out have been stated on tv. I think that her being in her home is not such a bad idea. Not because she gets a shower and all that- that's bogus. I think her being in her house will put her under even more pressure. She will be in the place where her and her daughter lived, ate, slept, and played together. She will have memories. She will have to continue to look at all the toys she and the grandparents bought her daughter. If she doesn't start opening up soon the family is going to start asking her more questions and things are goingt to heat up in that house. In jail she can escape everything and all she has to do is perfect her lies to her lawyer. At home she will not be able to escape and, eventually, she will mess up or break down. I believe the truth has to come out of people, even if they don't want it to.

[Brad]

I believe it is time for the police in Florida to share just a small tidbit of information to get Casey off her butt and start talking. And I strongly suggest that if Casey Anthony does not start talking immediately, the bail should be revoked by a judge.

Being a father for over 24 years and frequently deployed on ships at sea, this thirty year career Sailor would have gone absolutely crazy if his son or daughter went missing. I am convinced this young mother lost her temper and hurt her, or just killed her outright.

Our laws are becoming too restrictive to hold someone like casey in jail. I served to protect the consitution we all cherish...but this is not a consititutional issue...it is an issue where EVERY BODY should be going to Battle Stations looking to find Caylee, and I don't see that family working to support ANY search efforts at all. That sickens me to the core!

[Dave in NY]

I think the cops blew it on this one like they so often do. They wouldn't have caught Scott Peterson if the bodies hadn't floated up. Here, they apparently didn't get any DNA evidence from a car that smelled like a dead body. They waited too long to collect evidence from the car and house. You have to get that within 48 hours or its no good. I think Casey's mom may know more then she's let on so why haven't they dragged her in for more questioning? How much pressure did they put on Casey. She didn't seem too upset about her treatment in jail. Then when Casey was released on bail, they should have had the press behind barricades and instead the press was all over Casey. If she would have gotten hurt, she would have sued them. That was just plain stupid. Its a shame. I hope something happens to turn this around, but if not, its her loss and her family's loss.

[Sunnysin43]

Wow! Its so funny that some of the people that comment on this case have put in their mind that the little girl is already dead and her mother is to blame. What ever happened until innocent until proven guilty? What ever happened to maybe? What happened to the word chance. And we are the people that determine who walks free or goes to jail. Maybe this mother is terrified. Maybe an accident happened and she panicked as most of us do and she did not know what to do. Why is everyone so concentrated on the mother when the well being of the child should be most important. I believe their is a chance that Caylee is okay. Maybe if we just have a little faith just a little, the unexpected may be brought to light. Pray for the family dont condemn them!! And kudos to the bounty hunters for stepping up.

[julie]

Jess, i do not think they have said anything about the clothes and the backpacks. personally i do not think they are Cayce's or Caylee's we will see. i agree with you on the clothing and toys it must be torture for her. i pray Caylee will be found alive

[Angela in FL]

As far as the so-called babysitter Zeniada, did the grandparents ever meet her or speak with her? I think that if my daughter were going to a babysitter for several years that my mother would either have picked her up there for me (especially if I were working late) or have seen her at some point over this time period. Also, the last day that the grandfather saw them leaving, Casey said that she was going to work and dropping the baby off at the babysitter, I thought that she didnt have a job? So where was she actually going and who did she leave the baby with????

[Dave in NY]

I think everyone here believes in "innocent until proven guilty", however, Casey's behavior is not the behavior of an innocent person. Her only interest was in getting in touch with her boyfriend. She has shown no interest in finding her daughter and hasn't made any effort to search of her. She's lied over and over to the police. Every story she's told them has proven to be a lie. So I hope the child is safe and I hope Casey is innocent, but I fear neither of those are true.

[aj]

There is something sketchy about this bounty hunter, I agree. I do believe money is his motivation. His nephew was the bondsman who received his money, so I don't think he "spent" as much as we are led to believe. Honestly though, maybe it's not all bad. Maybe being the operative word here. Maybe she will talk now, although I doubt it. But talk or not, being out of jail can only further her guilt. She now has the chance to prove to have lied yet again. Padilla needs to give a little threat to her- talk or jail. That bond can be revoked. Another thing I've been thinking about- George Anthony claims the pictures of Casey at Club Fusion were taken before she had Caylee. I'm not from the area, but does anyone else know what kind of club Fusion is? Is it 21 and up? If so, there we have it. Casey was too young to be there before Caylee was born. Someone check me on this because I don't know for sure. The bit about Casey wanting to put Caylee up for adoption before she was born was also interesting. Cindy made her keep the baby...

[lorac]

All bounty hunters are "sketchy" It is a job for those on the fringe of society. However, I think Leonard Padilla's heart was in the right place on this one, though he was obviously a bit naive. Anyone following the case could see that Casey is a pathological liar, which is generally only the tip of the iceberg. I think Leonard saw an attractive young woman, an adorable child, a mystery demanding a solution, and felt he could bring it to a resolution. Which in a way, I believe he is doing simply by putting Casey into her family situation where they are desperate to find Caylee. When Casey comes up with nothing, even her parents will finally have to wake up. Then Casey will be under a great deal of pressure. Not to mention this new evidence of decomposition in the car trunk. Question is--will Casey break and I don't think she will, unless she kills herself. (which I think she will do rather than admit that she killed Caylee) By the way, being at her parents home and among Caylee's toys and clothing will mean nothing to Casey--she isn't capable of caring for anyone but herself. That is what being a sociopath means.

[gaye]

Mr. Padilla has made a complete horse's @$$ of himself.
He stuck his nose where it didn't belong. The police knew that lying, murderer didn't need to be out of jail, but Mr. Big Bad Bounty Hunter had to criticize us Floridians and imply we were stupid and didn't know how to treat Miss Skank and he had her released.
What has he done? Has he been looking for the dead child? No, he has been on every Television program that will have him.
You have gotten your free publicity now Mr. Big Shot from California, Please crawl back in the hole you came from and disappear.
You are as sleazy as Casey and the Anthony family.
I could care less what happens between you and your family.
As I have said before, What goes around, comes around and your time is coming for your part in this horribly, sad situation.
Greg, your have shown your great intelligence by agreeing that this was a smart move by brother Leonar
Yea I figured that.

[mary horton]

Leonard Padilla did what he thought was right by bailing out Casey, I feel he was very concerned in finding Caylee. I didn't seem like the police were moving very fast in the case. Mr. Padilla has helped out the homeless and the people getting out of jail find jobs, he has even taken money out of his own pockets to give to people that he has had to put back in jail, so they would have money to buy personal stuff. So stop knocking him down. Mr. Padilla keep up the good work and God Bless you and keep you safe out there.