This is a rush transcript from "On the Record ," August 20, 2008. This copy may not be in its final form and may be updated.
GRETA VAN SUSTEREN, FOX NEWS HOST: Tonight: Jailed mother Casey Anthony's $500,000 bond has been posted. So now the jailed mother can go home, right? Wrong. Casey Anthony is still locked up tonight where she's been since July 16, the only person of interest in her daughter, Caylee's, disappearance. How is this possible? The bounty hunter who posted Casey's bond goes "On the Record" in just a few moments.
But first, joining us live in Orlando is "On the Record" producer Justin Wells. Justin take me back to earlier today, before the bond was posted. Give me the -- you know, the play-by-play. What happened?
JUSTIN WELLS, FOX PRODUCER: Typically, it's not so complicated to post a bond, but today, it was quite a scene. It started with a very secret meeting that only "On the Record" knew about. And that was back just a few blocks away, over at an IHOP. It's not far away from the jail here.
Then after that secret meeting, which was with both lawyers, Jose Baez, Michael Walsh, the co-counsel, the Padillas were also there. They were there, as well as the bond people that were working on this deal -- Al Estes. Al Estes is from over in Clearwater, Florida, which is about a two- hour drive away from here, in the Tampa Bay area. He came over. They all met up over at the IHOP.
Once they got over here, well, things changed because first, we saw Leonard. Of course, you couldn't miss him with the cowboy hat, and of course, his team of security, led by Rob Dick, who is heading up the security for them. Now, once those guys got here, they were over on the corner, waiting for several minutes. The other people, the Baez team and the bondsman from the Tampa area, hadn't made their way over from the secret meeting here to the booking center at the Department of Corrections.
So they waited on the corner I'd say about 20 minutes. And then, all of a sudden, the bondsman pulled up. Well, he pulled up. He came in here. He was ready to go. The media was in a frenzy. While that was going on, we've learned that Jose Baez, the counsel for Casey Anthony, went to the back of the jail. There's a separate entrance where he meets with his clients. And he had a meeting with Casey Anthony as this was all ongoing today.
VAN SUSTEREN: Why didn't she get out?
WELLS: Well, you know, it's a very complicated process. The first part is done, the money. But that really, with her specific situation, has to be done in the morning in order for her to get out the same day. Why? Because there's a couple other steps after the bond is posted. The bond wasn't posted until late in the afternoon.
Step two involves what the jail calls a confidential situation. "On the Record" has learned through our sources that that step two is actually some kind of evaluation of her state of mind.
Now, once that's complete -- that can be processed rather quickly -- they move on to the third part, which is the confinement device. Typically, that parts needs to be done during business hours. When you're posting around 4:00, 5:00 o'clock in the afternoon, the people that usually strap that on somebody's ankle, they're going home for the day.
VAN SUSTEREN: All right. I don't want to put you in the position of being an apologist for everybody else, but I mean, it wasn't like this was a big surprise. Is there any reason why the lawyer, the bondsman and the security people couldn't have gotten there at 9:00 o'clock this morning, instead of going over to the IHOP and having their meeting?
WELLS: Well, a lot of things had to be worked today, quite a few things. And we're learning small details about what possibly has taken so long to get this resolved. The guys showed up Monday. Since then, it's been like the movie "Groundhog Day," like every day with Bill Murray. I wake up at 5:00 AM. It's the same day. Is she going to get out? We're making our calls. We're checking in with our sources. By the end of the day, nothing happens.
So we weren't really sure what to expect today. But this time around, you know, it seems like we're hearing -- at least, what we heard from Jose Baez today -- that there were some agreements that needed to be worked out. When Leonard arrived here, he initially said, I'm going to get the answers, I'm going to find out what happened to that girl, Caylee. Well, now Jose is coming out and saying he's instructed his client -- he can't talk to the Padillas. He cannot talk to them whatsoever. She's going to now have to only talk to her parents and him. The Padillas are only there to protect the bond which they've posted.
VAN SUSTEREN: All right, Justin, thank you, as always.
Now, this is a secret meeting that Justin witnessed and just talked about between Casey's legal team and the men who later posted her bond.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
WELLS: The car on the right you see right now is actually Mr. Padilla's car and his team. On the left, it is the legal team's car. We saw Jose Baez get out of that car. They are having a secret meeting just before they head down to the jail. Now, from here to the jail, we would say it is just a few blocks. This is right next to the jail. It is the closest restaurant, and they are having a secret meeting right now to discuss what's about to take place.
There they are right now, walking out of their secret meeting -- this is exclusive video right now -- the lawyers and also Mr. Padilla. Here they are right now. They're driving over as we speak. We're going to follow them out. They're about to post the bond any minute here.
Leonard, what's about to happen?
LEONARD PADILLA, BOUNTY HUNTER: They're going to be driving the bond over there in just about two minutes.
WELLS: About two minutes? Are you going to head over with them or...
PADILLA: (INAUDIBLE)
WELLS: So everybody's going to head over, and then you're going to speak to the media about what's just happened.
DINA EDWARDS, BAIL AGENT: Regarding the bail being posted for Casey Anthony, I quote FDS (ph) senior vice president Robert Sabel (ph). "Personally, I believe there is no punishment too severe for anyone that harms a child. However, I also believe in our Constitution and the vital function our industry serves in helping individuals with their constitutional rights."
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: As far as -- how could you phrase this, as far as Casey Anthony now getting out of jail, the process you just went through for 20 minutes? Where does that put her walking out of jail?
AL ESTES, BONDSMAN: Whenever this -- whenever the jail releases her, whatever time it takes them, well, then, that's -- that'll be the process. It's up to the jail next. They'll have to go to work doing what they are.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: So most likely tomorrow, sometime around mid- morning, mid-afternoon? Who's (ph) going to be walking out of jail now, thanks to what you just did?
ESTES: Oh, I wouldn't begin to even say when she'll be released because there's just no way of telling.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VAN SUSTEREN: Now, once the jailed mother, Casey Anthony, is released, will the men who posted Casey's bond have any special access to her? Earlier, FOX News spoke to Casey Anthony's lawyer, Jose Baez.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JOSE BAEZ, CASEY ANTHONY'S ATTORNEY: First of all, they will not have access to her. They just have one person who'll be staying in the home. They are not to question her. I have specific instructions for the bondsman and the bounty hunters, and they are not to question her in any shape or form. And my client knows. My client is not a fool. She knows that she is not to speak with these people.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
VAN SUSTEREN: Joining us live is bounty hunter Leonard Padilla. Leonard posted Casey's bond today. Welcome back to the show, Leonard.
PADILLA: How are you?
VAN SUSTEREN: I'm very well. So Leonard, one of the criteria for her to -- (CELL PHONE RINGS) You got to get that? Got that?
PADILLA: No, I don't have to.
VAN SUSTEREN: OK. Good. All right. One of the criteria for her to get out is that the money be posted. That has now been done, right, completely, all the papers signed?
PADILLA: The bond was posted this afternoon. There was also two smaller bonds posted for a couple of other items. I don't know exactly what they were. They were $100 each.
VAN SUSTEREN: Did she have other charges?
PADILLA: And she'll be...
VAN SUSTEREN: Wait a second. Did she have...
PADILLA: I don't know what they were. I don't know what they were. They posted a $500,000 bond and two $100 bonds. I don't know what the $100 bonds were for.
VAN SUSTEREN: All right. We'll have to check that. All right...
PADILLA: And she'll be released tomorrow.
VAN SUSTEREN: Now, the state of mind evaluation, which is another criteria, apparently, that Florida has -- do you know if that's been completed?
PADILLA: No, it doesn't take place until the morning.
VAN SUSTEREN: Do you have any idea how long it is supposed to take?
PADILLA: No. It's basically an evaluation. We just found out what it was -- what it meant this morning because it was a secret hold. It takes place within a couple of hours before she's released, and it has to do with her safety, more than anything else. In other words, is she suicidal or anything like that?
VAN SUSTEREN: All right. Now, you may have just heard Justin describe this meeting at the IHOP as sort of a secret meeting. I guess it's secret because, you know, not many people knew about it. Is that how you would characterize it?
PADILLA: No, no. It was just the closest place to the jail where they could all sit down and do the paperwork and stuff that had to be done at the last minute before they went over to the jail.
VAN SUSTEREN: No reason why it wasn't done in Jose Baez's office or your hotel or any other reason? I mean...
PADILLA: No, no. I think it was just -- it was just a handy place. And Al said something, that there was an IHOP there. I didn't go there for the meeting at all. I just went by there and shook hands with Al and his people and went on over to the jail.
VAN SUSTEREN: Now, Al is the bondsman from Tampa?
PADILLA: He's the local bondsman from Florida. And it was actually the young lady that walked (ph) and posted the bonds.
VAN SUSTEREN: Was Mr. Baez, Casey's lawyer, at this meeting at the IHOP?
PADILLA: I believe he walked in just as I was leaving, yes.
VAN SUSTEREN: Well, did you have a conversation with him?
PADILLA: No. No. I just said, Hi, how are you doing? And he and Rob, and I believe, were just -- he walking in with his partner and we were leaving.
VAN SUSTEREN: Once she is bailed out, once she walks out the door and has this evaluation, do you -- what happens? I mean, are you going to take her someplace? What's the plan?
PADILLA: No, we are going to -- we are transporting her to her mom's and dad's house. The people with the home monitoring device will run some tests and checks and -- to make sure that everything is working. I might be there. I might not. I don't know if I'm going over to the residence or not. I have a couple of other things to take care of tomorrow. So it just depends on what the day looks like.
VAN SUSTEREN: Has the monitoring device at her house already been set up?
PADILLA: The line has been set up, but when she walks in the house, they have to make sure that the signal transmits properly, and those folks have to make sure that everything's fine.
VAN SUSTEREN: Now, previously, you've told us that one of the reasons why you wanted to bail her out (INAUDIBLE) is because you thought that she would talk and help find her child and her child -- whatever...
PADILLA: Exactly. Yes.
VAN SUSTEREN: OK.
PADILLA: Yes.
VAN SUSTEREN: All right. Now, her lawyer says you're not going to be able to talk to her, so now what?
PADILLA: She -- I can't question her, but if she wants to volunteer information, that's up to her.
VAN SUSTEREN: And if she doesn't, that sort of diminishes your very purpose of getting her out.
PADILLA: No, no, no. People that get bailed out usually have conversations. You don't have to have a conversation about the case. You could have a conversation about anything you want.
VAN SUSTEREN: Well, I guess I'm trying to understand, is usually people -- usually, bondsmen get a fee. You're not getting a fee at this time, right?
PADILLA: I'm not a bondsman. I'm the bounty hunter. I'm the guy that paid the fee. I paid it to my nephew.
VAN SUSTEREN: All right. All right. So you're out 50 grand?
PADILLA: I paid $50,000, yes.
VAN SUSTEREN: So your nephew is not going to give you that back.
PADILLA: No. He's got his own family to support.
VAN SUSTEREN: All right. So what would possess you to pay 50 grand out of your pocket to your nephew to bail her out?
PADILLA: Because I think she has the information required to find the little girl. There's a $250,000 reward out there, and every time I get on one of these programs, I want people to understand that the little girl can be dropped off at a drug store, and two days later, the guy can come in and claim the reward. And I'm not a cop. I'm, you know, not law enforcement. I'm not trying to make a case on it. Now, one of the early -- one of the...
VAN SUSTEREN: But let me just -- let me just (INAUDIBLE) Leonard.
PADILLA: Sure.
VAN SUSTEREN: Either you're going to get your $50,000 back from that reward, or you're going to eat $50,000, right?
PADILLA: Oh, I'm not going to eat $50,000. I'm...
VAN SUSTEREN: Where are you going to get it?
PADILLA: I'm a successful -- I'm a successful bounty hunter, believe me. If I can get this little girl back and it only costs me $50,000, it's worth it. Now...
VAN SUSTEREN: And if you can't?
PADILLA: ... if you feel bad about it...
VAN SUSTEREN: If you can't...
PADILLA: If Rupert...
VAN SUSTEREN: If you can't...
PADILLA: If Rupert Murdoch feels bad about it, why don't he reimburse me half of it?
VAN SUSTEREN: I don't think -- what's got Rupert Murdoch into this? But all right. All right...
PADILLA: Well, he owns FOX. Hell, they're representing him, just like that idiot Bo Dietl does.
VAN SUSTEREN: I -- I don't -- I'm not sure I get this. But anyway -- we've deviated a little bit. All right. Are you willing to eat $50,000 in case you don't get...
PADILLA: I spent $50,000 on a worthwhile cause...
VAN SUSTEREN: All right. Well...
PADILLA: ... To get the word out, and hopefully, get information from her mother that will bring her back safely.
VAN SUSTEREN: All right. Well, hopefully...
PADILLA: That's not eating $50,000.
VAN SUSTEREN: ... Is the instructive word. All right, Leonard. Well, thank you. I hope you don't lose your $50,000. More than anything else...
PADILLA: I'm not losing $50,000!
VAN SUSTEREN: ... I want you to be right on this.
PADILLA: It's spent very worthwhile.
VAN SUSTEREN: So be it, and I hope that I am so wrong about this, you know, because that would only be good news. Thank you. And you got a call to pick up, Leonard. Thank you.
PADILLA: Very good.
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