Mystery Surrounds Matthew Muller, Man Accused Of Denise Huskins Kidnapping Plot

ORANGEVALE (CBS13) — He was a Marine, then a Harvard law student, then a practicing attorney.

Now Matthew Muller is accused of allegedly kidnapping and holding Denise Huskins for ransom earlier this year, then trying the crime again with a couple in Dublin.

RELATED: The Hoax That Wasn't: FBI Says Denise Huskins Kidnapping Part Of Suspect's Grand 'Ocean's 11′ Scheme

CBS13 spoke to his attorney, Tom Johnson.

"It is true what's in the affidavit that he has suffered from a mental disease, a bipolar disorder, and certainly that's going to be a significant component for his defense when he arrives here in Sacramento federal court," he said.

Johnson would not talk about the case further, only saying they plan to plead not guilty, and that his client has suffered from a mental illness for a few years now.

Possibly around the same time, the State Bar of California started a process to disbar Muller for allegedly failing to file paperwork for a client, taking money and lying about it. He will be officially disbarred in just a few days.

Neighbors in Orangevale were grateful they were not targeted. One neighbor says he asked Muller to move his car from in front of his house, and Muller became enraged and threatened his life. That neighbor says he didn't report it to police.