Update: Private investigator Phillip Klein responds to lawsuit letter

Update 8:15 p.m.: Private investigator Phillip Klein has responded publicly to the letter from the Kunz family attorney. Klein issued the following state on the Klein Investigations and Consulting Facebook page:

This evening I have been forwarded a Press Release from Attorney Allen Browning. He now states he represents Dennis Deorr Kunz, Vernal Deorr Kunz and Jessica Mitchell. In Mr. Browning’s two page statement he made some accusations. Publicly, I urge Mr. Browning before he files suit against us – to have a strong heart to heart conversation with his clients. As we have clearly documented, recorded, and saved every portion of the case. I urge him to visit and look at the evidence that has been provided to Law Enforcement before he does anything.

As for the accusations leveled against our firm – we make the following statements :

1) “The Truth is the ultimate defense.”

2) Mr. Kunz has not spent any money on this case – the public has and a family member who made contact with our firm in tears and anger today has.

3) Mr. Kunz was fully informed that as a part of his contract with us – our firm would retain full control over the media relations. Today we release this letter to you the public.

4) Last Mr. Browning made some very serious statements regarding me and myself violating the law by “giving legal advice.” This evening I have reviewed – and my legal counsel has reviewed the audio recording of the event Mr. Browning misstates. The events that are described by Mr. Browning on January 27, 2016 are not factual. In fact the meeting Mr. Browing references was a family meeting and briefing to which Vernal was not invited nor was Mr. Browning. Clearly, and without a doubt, Mr. Brownings statement is incorrect. I publicly ask Mr. Browning to retract his statement.

I further want to state publicy that I do not believe Mr. Browning is making these statements in any manner other than what his client at the time told him. I believe Mr. Browning is being misled. Again, the recording of the meeting and the description of the event Mr. Browning has described are not even close. We will reach out to Mr. Browning in the next 24 hours to provide him a copy of the recording before he files any suit. Again, we do not believe Mr. Browning is making his statements with anything other than misinformation by his clients. He has an obligation to do his duty to investigate before filing a suit. We again will reach out to him tomorrow.

We thank the public for their support. We will announce shortly our continued commitment to this case for finding baby DeOrr which has been our goal since day one.

Original story: The grandfather of missing toddler DeOrr Kunz, Jr. is suing the private investigator he hired to help find the missing toddler.

Dennis DeOrr Kunz’s attorney released a document today detailing a lawsuit that was filed today. The attorney, Allen Browning, says in document that the case will seek damages for breach of contract and defamation.

“I am proud to I am being given the opportunity to set the record straight for Vernal DeOrr Kunz and Jessica Mitchell, and to let the public know that they will proceed with legal action against Mr. Klein for making defamatory statements about them,” writes Browning.

The announcement of the lawsuit comes just a day after the family informed Klein Investigations and Consulting that they had been fired from the case.

The full letter is attached to this article.