The Taryvon Martin shooter, George Zimmerman, found himself in yet another controversy when the protection service he hired filed suit against him and his attorney Mark O'Mara for unpaid bills. Now Zimmerman defends himself by saying he was over-billed by bodyguard service.
O'Mara told TMZ, "The billing got out of hand quickly. We trusted them to be efficient with their work and they weren't... I don't believe those who have contributed to help George should be taken advantage of by such over-billing," referring to donations to the Zimmerman Defense Fund by his supporters.
Earlier this month, Associated Investigative Services filed suit against Zimmerman and O'mara for failing to pay for services, which the company had been providing the family since June.
Bodyguards from the protection service were hired shortly after Zimmerman was released from jail "to provide security services and security detail for the Zimmerman family," as reported by the Orlando Sentinel. The service alleges that the Zimmerman team owes the company $27,000 since June.
Associated Investigative Services (AIS) filed the suit in a Florida state circuit court in Orange County. When asked about the suit, O'Mara told Orlando Sentinel reporters "Wow. I'm very surprised that they filed suit. We've paid them over $40,000." The company does not deny the payment of this amount, but says the Zimmerman team still owes them the $27,000 and that the team always was aware of AIS's price.
Representatives said that Zimmerman stopped making $7,000 weekly payments, after O'mara informed AIS that his client was low on funds and could not pay the "exorbitant" weekly amount.
O'mara and Zimmerman have maintained concerns over the security of Zimmerman and wife Shelly from early on in the case.
Recently, Judge Debra Nelson denied Zimmerman permission to leave to the county; she also denied the defense's request for amending his bond requirements.
Zimmerman, whose bond was earlier revoked and later set to $1 million dollar and required the shooter to wear a 24-hour GPS monitoring device. Mark O'Mara, argued that the purview of the bond raised issues for his client's safety. O'Mara requested that the court remove the GPS and allow Zimmerman to reside outside the county, both of which were denied by Judge Nelson.
Prosecutors argued against the defense's request for amendments in the bond stating that Zimmerman's claim for security concerns were not justified. Prosecutor Bernie de la Rionda said, "My recollection is this defendant has appeared on national television ... but there are so many threats against him and he's so scared? He can't have it both ways," as reported by WPTV.
Zimmerman was arrested in February for the killing of the 17-year-old, Zimmerman who was armed shot Martin after claiming that he was attacked by the teenager and fired in an act of self-defense. The 28-year-old Zimmerman has maintained the claim to self-defense from the beginning of the case.
Court hearing for trial has been set for June 10.
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