FLORIDA INJURY LAWYER SUSPENDED AFTER MURDER-FOR-HIRE ARREST IN 2021 CASE

A Florida injury attorney known for suing insurance companies in medical malpractice, wrongful death and auto claims, has been suspended from practice after he was linked to a murder-for-hire plan.

Francisco Javier Gonzalez, 59, of the Orlando area, was suspended by the Florida Supreme Court last week, four months after he was charged with sending $10,000 to help his daughter allegedly hire a hitman in Los Angeles in 2021, according to news reports and court records.

When Gonzalez’ daughter, Gabriela, searched the dark web internet to find a hitman for her ex-boyfriend, a singer and former boy-band member, she and her dad ended up dealing with an undercover FBI agent, the Orlando Sentinel and other news sites reported. Gabriela was involved in a bitter custody battle over her own 7-year-old daughter, news outlets noted.

Gonzalez, who led the Gonzalez Law Firm in Heathrow, outside of Orlando, was arrested May 18 and was extradited to Los Angeles. He has pleaded not guilty and is set for a preliminary hearing Nov. 18.

“On or about December 21, 2021, defendant Francisco Gonzalez spoke with an undercover FBI agent located in Los Angeles County who was posing as the killer or intermediary,” reads the felony complaint information in Los Angeles County Superior Court.

During the call, Gonzalez discussed with the undercover agent a Bitcoin payment made through his daughter’s current boyfriend at the time, and verified the correct target, reads the complaint, made available through the Florida Bar.

The Florida high court, acting on a petition from the Bar, on Sept. 28 suspended Gonzalez indefinitely, effective at the end of October. That gives him 30 days to close out his practice and protect the interests of existing clients, the court said.

The defendant’s lawyer told the Sentinel that LA prosecutors had exaggerated or concocted information about Gonzalez’ involvement in the alleged crime.

“This weaving of a biased, and often false, narrative appears to be an effort to discredit Mr. Gonzalez’s character and to deny him his right to a fair trial,” defense attorney Karen Goldstein told the newspaper. “What the prosecution claims happened, and the truth of what actually happened, are two very different things.”

The Gonzalez law firm also handled bankruptcy cases. Its website appeared to be inoperable Monday. The Bar web site shows he earned his law degree from Barry University in Miami. He has no previous disciplinary proceedings against him.

Gonzalez, in practice for more than 30 years, should not be confused with another Florida attorney with the same name. That lawyer is with another firm, based in Palm Beach County, and practices real estate and probate law.

Topics Florida

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