James Fishback’s attorneys want off the case, citing months of overdue bills

Attorneys representing gubernatorial candidate James Fishback in litigation with a former employer say they want to dump the Republican after getting stiffed on payment.

Justin Kelton, a partner at New York law firm Abrams Fensterman, filed a motion to withdraw as counsel for Fishback. The firm has been representing Fishback in an ongoing legal fight with Greenlight Capital.

In the motion, Kelton said Fishback owed the firm more than $150,000 in fees, most of which has been outstanding for more than 120 days.

“The Firm was retained for this matter by Defendant pursuant to a written retainer agreement under which Defendant agreed to pay the Firm’s legal fees based on our hourly rates,” the motion reads. “The Firm has not agreed to finance the defense of this litigation or render gratuitous services in this matter.”

But Fishback told Florida Politics he has no intention to make good on the debts.

“I owe my mom $20.67 for Chipotle last night. She is the only one I’ll be paying back,” Fishback texted Florida Politics.

The dispute with his own attorneys came after a federal magistrate Judge earlier this year ordered Fishback, founder and CEO of Azoria Capital, to turn over stock certificates and a slate of luxury purchases to the U.S. Marshals Service.

Greenlight said Fishback has owed the company money since a court order issued last year. The company wanted Fishback to surrender his stock or share certificates in Azoria Capital, a company he founded.

Kelton now says he has repeatedly refused to pay back his debts related to his own representation. Since the case with Greenlight has already reached its conclusion, Kelton said, it can stop representing Fishback without impacting their client in any other legal matters.

Notably, the firm previously made a motion to withdraw at a point when Fishback said he would represent himself in the case, but backed off that when Fishback reconsidered. Now, it’s clear Fishback just won’t pay his bills, Kelton said.

“Defendant has been unable to keep current with the fees and costs incurred, and owes a substantial balance to the Firm,” Kelton wrote in a letter to the court. “Defendant does not dispute that the Firm is owed substantial fees and costs that have been outstanding and overdue for a substantial period.”