This website collects cookies to deliver better user experience. Cookie Policy
Accept
Sign In
The Wall Street Publication
  • Home
  • Trending
  • U.S
  • World
  • Politics
  • Business
    • Business
    • Economy
    • Real Estate
    • Markets
    • Personal Finance
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle
    • Style
    • Arts
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
Reading: Avenatti cast as both thief, generous lawyer at NYC trial
Share
The Wall Street PublicationThe Wall Street Publication
Font ResizerAa
Search
  • Home
  • Trending
  • U.S
  • World
  • Politics
  • Business
    • Business
    • Economy
    • Real Estate
    • Markets
    • Personal Finance
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle
    • Style
    • Arts
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
© 2024 The Wall Street Publication. All Rights Reserved.
The Wall Street Publication > Blog > Entertainment > Avenatti cast as both thief, generous lawyer at NYC trial
Entertainment

Avenatti cast as both thief, generous lawyer at NYC trial

Editorial Board Published January 24, 2022
Share
Avenatti cast as both thief, generous lawyer at NYC trial
SHARE

NEW YORK (AP) — California lawyer Michael Avenatti stole nearly $300,000 in book proceeds from porn star Stormy Daniels to pay employees at his debt-ridden law firm and to fund his personal expenses, a prosecutor told jurors as the once high-flying attorney’s third criminal trial in two years began Monday.

Avenatti has insisted he is innocent of wire fraud and aggravated identify theft charges and his lawyers say he is likely to testify during the trial in Manhattan federal court. Daniels, a prosecutor said, was not expected to testify until Wednesday.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Rohrbach told jurors that Avenatti lied repeatedly to steal nearly $300,000 from Daniels, whom Avenatti represented in 2018 in lawsuits against ex-President Donald Trump.

“This is a case about a lawyer who stole from his client, a lawyer who lied to cover up his scheme. That lawyer is the defendant Michael Avenatti,” Rohrbach said as he pointed at the 50-year-old on trial.

Defense attorney Andrew Dalack said his client didn’t steal any money and had a fee agreement to share any money from the book deal.

“This has no business in federal criminal court,” Dalack said, contending it was a fee dispute between a lawyer and his client. “And Mr. Avenatti is not guilty.”

Dalack said Avenatti had “transformed a rather obscure adult entertainer into a household name” and loaned her hundreds of thousands of dollars only to be faced with false accusations from her.

But he said that was not uncommon for Daniels, who “turned on the people closest to her” when she didn’t get her way and, in Dalack’s estimation, wanted “all the benefits of zealous, fierce and loyal representation without having to pay for it.”

Rohrbach said the $800,000 advance owed to Daniels for “Full Disclosure,” published in fall 2018, was paid in four installments. The initial payment went to Daniels before Avenatti diverted two other payments to himself, spending some money on airfare, food and payroll for his struggling business, the prosecutor said.

Rohrbach said Avenatti also had raised about $600,000 from the public toward legal bills for Daniels, a point raised to counteract a defense argument that a token $100 Daniels was required to pay Avenatti was made with the understanding that he would share in proceeds of other ventures.

Rohrbach cautioned jurors that Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, notoriety as an entertainer who had performed in adult films and on a show about paranormal activity should have no bearing.

“This case is not about her job, what she does for money,” he said. “It’s about a fraud that’s been committed.”

The trial’s first witness, literary agent Luke Janklow, testified that he had once viewed Avenatti as a “folk hero” for being aggressive in his television appearances about fighting for those who opposed Trump.

He acknowledged that he had referred to Daniels as “impossible,” but quickly added “as I do with many of my clients.”

“As impulsive and impetuous as she is, she‘s not as bad as some of my other clients,” he later added.

A prosecutor elicited from Janklow that he discussed a book deal for Avenatti when he met him in March 2018, and eventually secured a deal that paid a $2 million advance, although only about a half-million dollars was paid. The revelation seemed aimed at showing that Avenatti wasn’t just looking out for his client in book deal talks.

On cross-examination, Janklow said he “liked him and believed in what he was doing,” although communications between the men showed that he became increasingly frustrated as Avenatti insisted he not communicate with Daniels, who kept demanding to know where her money was.

Seated among spectators at the trial was Michael Cohen, Trump’s former personal lawyer who – days before the presidential election in 2016 – helped to arrange a $130,000 payment to Daniels to prevent her from talking publicly about her claims to a sexual encounter with Trump a decade earlier.

Cohen served a year in prison of a three-year sentence imposed after he pleaded guilty in 2018 to lying to Congress and campaign finance crimes, among other charges. Daniels has since made up with Cohen, even appearing on his podcast, but Avenatti appeared to lob an insult at Cohen as he filed in.

Avenatti was sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison last year after being convicted of trying to extort up to $25 million from sportswear giant Nike. He has not yet begun serving the sentence. He is also awaiting retrial in a California case – on charges that he cheated clients of millions of dollars – after a mistrial last year.

Copyright © 2022 The Washington Times, LLC.

TAGGED:EntertainmentWall Street Publication
Share This Article
Twitter Email Copy Link Print
Previous Article More CEOs join ‘Great Resignation’ amid COVID-19 burnout More CEOs join ‘Great Resignation’ amid COVID-19 burnout
Next Article Boeing Expands Focus on Air Taxis Boeing Expands Focus on Air Taxis

Editor's Pick

I attempted Google’s new Search Dwell function and ended up debating an AI about books

I attempted Google’s new Search Dwell function and ended up debating an AI about books

Google’s new Search Dwell function lets customers maintain real-time voice conversations with an AI-powered model of Search The Gemini-powered AI…

By Editorial Board 6 Min Read
AI at Scale: Mohammed’s Revolutionary Architecture Behind the World’s Fastest Website Builder
AI at Scale: Mohammed’s Revolutionary Architecture Behind the World’s Fastest Website Builder

In an extraordinary technological breakthrough, Abdul Muqtadir Mohammed has fundamentally transformed how…

7 Min Read
Bobby Flay Pays Tribute to Anne Burrell: She was Unforgettable…
Bobby Flay Pays Tribute to Anne Burrell: She was Unforgettable…

Studying Time: 3 minutes Bobby Flay is the newest movie star to…

5 Min Read

Oponion

High Trump stooge eyes California governor run—on one situation

High Trump stooge eyes California governor run—on one situation

Richard Grenell can’t preserve season ticket holders from leaving the…

June 14, 2025

Queens of the North: Mitty routs St. Francis to say NorCal Open volleyball crown with out dropping a set

MOUNTAIN VIEW – Crown them. Archbishop…

November 20, 2024

WEB 3.0’s Largest Metaverse City by VIRTUE Clan

It's now been over 10 years…

January 3, 2022

Bikes, Bourbon and Other Items Supply-Chain Woes Have Made Scarcer

Resume Subscription We are delighted that…

November 25, 2021

Reddit Files for IPO

Reddit Inc. said it has confidentially…

December 16, 2021

You Might Also Like

John Cena Internet Value: How Wealthy Is the Professional Wrestler Turned Hollywood Star?
Entertainment

John Cena Internet Value: How Wealthy Is the Professional Wrestler Turned Hollywood Star?

Studying Time: 3 minutes John Cena has been a family title for years now — and he’s received the online…

4 Min Read
Will Smith Divorced: His Marriage Historical past With Jada, Defined
Entertainment

Will Smith Divorced: His Marriage Historical past With Jada, Defined

Studying Time: 5 minutes Are Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith divorced for actual? Longtime followers of the superstar pair…

9 Min Read
Summer time Home Forged Shake-Up: Who ELSE  is Out?!?
Entertainment

Summer time Home Forged Shake-Up: Who ELSE is Out?!?

Studying Time: 3 minutes Summer time Home Spoiler Alert: The Hamptons are gonna look very totally different in 2026. A…

4 Min Read
Lana Del Rey Pregnant? The Rumor & The Fact
Entertainment

Lana Del Rey Pregnant? The Rumor & The Fact

Studying Time: 3 minutes Is Lana Del Rey pregnant? Late final summer season, she married a gator tour information. The…

4 Min Read
The Wall Street Publication

About Us

The Wall Street Publication, a distinguished part of the Enspirers News Group, stands as a beacon of excellence in journalism. Committed to delivering unfiltered global news, we pride ourselves on our trusted coverage of Politics, Business, Technology, and more.

Company

  • About Us
  • Newsroom Policies & Standards
  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Careers
  • Media & Community Relations
  • WP Creative Group
  • Accessibility Statement

Contact

  • Contact Us
  • Contact Customer Care
  • Advertise
  • Licensing & Syndication
  • Request a Correction
  • Contact the Newsroom
  • Send a News Tip
  • Report a Vulnerability

Term of Use

  • Digital Products Terms of Sale
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Settings
  • Submissions & Discussion Policy
  • RSS Terms of Service
  • Ad Choices

© 2024 The Wall Street Publication. All Rights Reserved.

Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?