NEW YORK — Federal prosecutors in New York City have filed charges against attorney Michael Avenatti for diverting money from a book deal negotiated for an unnamed former client, whom several reports have identified as adult performer Stormy Daniels.
Avenatti quickly rose to prominence as Daniels’ attorney in a number of suits and countersuits concerning her sexual relationship with businessman and TV personality Donald Trump several years before he became U.S. President, and what she and the lawyer alleged were attempts at silencing her.
Avenatti also acted until recently as a spokesperson of sorts for the award-winning adult star and director.
According to the Washington Post, “Federal prosecutors in New York City say Avenatti used a doctored document to divert about $300,000 that Daniels was supposed to get from a book deal, then used the money for personal and business expenses. Only half of that money was paid back, prosecutors said.”
“Daniels isn’t named in the court filing,” the Post added, “but the details of the case, including the date her book was released, make it clear that she is the client involved.”
“No monies relating to Ms. Daniels were ever misappropriated or mishandled,” Avenatti responded via Twitter today. “She received millions of dollars worth of legal services and we spent huge sums in expenses. She directly paid only $100.00 for all that she received. I look forward to a jury hearing the evidence.”
Last November, Daniels released a statement distancing herself from her attorney. “For months I’ve asked Michael Avenatti to give me accounting information about the fund my supporters so generously donated to for my safety and legal defense,” she wrote. “He has repeatedly ignored those requests. Days ago I demanded again, repeatedly, that he tell me how the money was being spent and how much was left. Instead of answering me, without my permission or even my knowledge Michael launched another crowdfunding campaign to raise money on my behalf. I learned about it on Twitter.”
On March 12, Daniels parted ways with Avenatti, announcing via Twitter that she had "retained Clark Brewster as my personal lawyer and have asked him and his firm to review all legal matters involving me. Upon completion of Mr. Brewster's review and further consultation with me, I anticipate Mr. Brewster will serve as my primary counsel on all legal issues.”
Today’s charges are the latest in a series of allegations against the media-hungry New York lawyer, who had once become an improbable word-of-mouth 2020 presidential candidate choice for some in the anti-Trump movement.