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: In trial closing, prosecutor says lies caught up to Avenatti
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 > In trial closing, prosecutor says lies caught up to Avenatti
Entertainment

In trial closing, prosecutor says lies caught up to Avenatti

Editorial Board Published February 2, 2022
Share
In trial closing, prosecutor says lies caught up to Avenatti
SHARE

NEW YORK (AP) — A prosecutor told jurors Wednesday in a trial’s closing arguments that California lawyer Michael Avenatti told repeated lies to porn actor Stormy Daniels in 2018 to hide his theft of her book proceeds. Avenatti, representing himself, said he never committed a crime.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Sobelman instructed the Manhattan federal jury to follow a trail of text messages, bank statements and lies by Avenatti to reach its verdict on charges of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.

“They traveled and appeared on television together. He was supposed to be her advocate. But the defendant betrayed her trust. He stole from her and lied to her over and over and over again,” Sobelman said.

The prosecutor made a passing reference to testimony by Daniels about communicating with dead people and unusual experiences she faced when she lived in a New Orleans home, saying Avenatti was trying to portray her as crazy.

“Does she have some unusual experiences? Yes. Some unusual beliefs? Sure. But everything she told you is backed up by the documents and the text messages,” Sobelman said.

Prosecutors say Avenatti pocketed nearly $300,000 in 2018 by using a fake document to make it appear that Daniels approved of her book proceeds going into a bank account Avenatti controlled. They say he did that even though his contract with Daniels called for him to receive only $100 for his work on her behalf.

Avenatti, who replaced his lawyers with himself on the day after opening statements, has insisted he had permission from Daniels to pocket some of the $800,000 advance on her autobiography, “Full Disclosure.” Daniels testified that he did not.

In his own closing argument, Avenatti told jurors that he and his firm had spent millions of dollars “to the benefit of Ms. Daniels.” He said that if they conclude that he had a good faith belief in his mind that he was entitled to be paid from book proceeds, they jurors must acquit.

“A good faith belief, ladies and gentlemen, is a complete defense to all of these charges. It’s game over for the government,” he said. “Let me be clear, Michael Avenatti never committed the crime of wire fraud. Michael Avenatti never committed the crime of aggravated identity theft. There is insufficient evidence, ladies and gentlemen, to show that Michael Avenatti, ever intended to defraud Ms. Daniels.”

He accused Daniels of lying when she testified for two days last week and called her “not credible,” citing her testimony that she has a doll that called her “mommy,” that she sees dead people and can see inside a house from the outside.

“Is that somebody you can count on 100% when determining whether someone committed a crime beyond a reasonable doubt?” Avenatti asked. “I would submit no.”

Daniels and Avenatti were a team in 2018 as he represented her in lawsuits against former President Donald Trump. She hired him in her bid to speak publicly about claims of a tryst with Trump a decade earlier despite being paid $130,000 shortly before the 2016 presidential election to remain silent.

While representing Daniels, Avenatti appeared frequently as a guest on television cable news programs and grew in popularity to the point where he considered running for president himself in 2020.

But then he was charged in New York in early 2019 with trying to extort up to $25 million from Nike with threats that he would otherwise spoil the apparel maker’s reputation. He was charged the same day in Los Angeles with ripping off clients for millions of dollars.

Weeks later, he was charged with stealing from Daniels. He pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Avenatti, 50, has already been sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison in the Nike case. The Los Angeles case resulted in a mistrial last year as Avenatti represented himself.

Copyright © 2022 The Washington Times, LLC.

TAGGED:EntertainmentWall Street Publication
Share This Article
Twitter Email Copy Link Print
Previous Article JD.com Founder Donates More Than  Billion in Stock JD.com Founder Donates More Than $2 Billion in Stock
Next Article Indian advocates suggest new use for Washington’s discarded helmet logo Indian advocates suggest new use for Washington’s discarded helmet logo

Editor's Pick

Brooke Hogan Written Out of Hulk’s Will (At Her Personal Request)

Brooke Hogan Written Out of Hulk’s Will (At Her Personal Request)

Studying Time: 3 minutes Brooke Hogan isn’t in her dad’s will, a brand new report reveals. Regardless of years of…

By Editorial Board 4 Min Read
6 Greatest Underwear To Stop Chafing For Males in 2025 | Fashion
6 Greatest Underwear To Stop Chafing For Males in 2025 | Fashion

We independently consider all really helpful services. Any services or products put…

15 Min Read
9 Finest Males’s Shorts Manufacturers – Versatile Types For 2025 | Fashion
9 Finest Males’s Shorts Manufacturers – Versatile Types For 2025 | Fashion

We independently consider all advisable services. Any services or products put ahead…

13 Min Read

Oponion

This might be the ultimate straw for MAGA

This might be the ultimate straw for MAGA

They’re having a meltdown over at r/conservative, the principle political…

July 18, 2025

Sale closed in Los Gatos: $1.9 million for a three-bedroom dwelling

Bay Space Dwelling Report 126 Calle…

November 1, 2024

In states that ban abortion, social security internet applications usually fail households

Taylor Cagnacci moved from California to…

December 28, 2024

Harris sees warning indicators with Arab American, Muslim voters in key swing states

Vice President Harris is dealing with…

October 7, 2024

Fall Is Right here—8 Steps to Flip Your Dwelling Right into a Cozy Haven

We might obtain a portion of…

September 25, 2024

You Might Also Like

Jana Duggar Pregnant? Why Followers Say She’s Anticipating Child #1
Entertainment

Jana Duggar Pregnant? Why Followers Say She’s Anticipating Child #1

Studying Time: 3 minutes Is Jana Duggar pregnant? Ever since Jana married Stephen Wissmann, followers have puzzled about her future…

4 Min Read
Garth Brooks Divorced: Marriage Historical past With Trisha Yearwood, Defined
Entertainment

Garth Brooks Divorced: Marriage Historical past With Trisha Yearwood, Defined

Studying Time: 4 minutes Garth Brooks is a divorced man. He has been for a few years. However the concern…

7 Min Read
Savannah Chrisley BLASTS Lindsie Chrisley as a Traitor: We’re No Longer Household!
Entertainment

Savannah Chrisley BLASTS Lindsie Chrisley as a Traitor: We’re No Longer Household!

Studying Time: 3 minutes As you very seemingly know at this level, Todd and Julie Chrisley have been pardoned by…

4 Min Read
Vanessa Bryant Pregnant: The Rumor & The Reality
Entertainment

Vanessa Bryant Pregnant: The Rumor & The Reality

Studying Time: 3 minutes Vanessa Bryant has confronted hypothesis that she is pregnant. Greater than 5 years after her household…

5 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?