Disgraced New York attorney Michael Avenatti was found guilty on all counts of extortion in his legal trial against Nike. The suit alleged that Avenatti threatened the corporation with a press conference accusing Nike of corruption unless the company paid him and his co-conspirator millions of dollars. Avenatti still faces charges in California alleging that he deceived clients, and this trial is set to begin in May.
Michael Avenatti guilty on all counts in Nike extortion trial. He stared straight ahead and showed no reaction as verdict was read.
— Stephen Brown (@PPVSRB) February 14, 2020
Avenatti is facing up to 42 years in prison. A judge will decide on his sentence.
— Adrienne Lawrence (@AdrienneLaw) February 14, 2020
Avenatti’s also scheduled to start trial in Los Angeles in May on charges that he defrauded clients and others of millions of dollars. https://t.co/TIRIyFqbx3
Avenatti made a name for himself in the public eye after representing porn star Stormy Daniels in her suit against President Trump. He truly entered the political arena when he brought cases of alleged sexual misconduct against Justice Brett Kavanaugh during his confirmation hearings. Avenatti alleged that Justice Kavanaugh engaged in “gang rape.” All of Avenatti’s claims were proven to be fabricated.
Avenatti still claims innocence of these extortion charges, and remains a vocal critic of the president:
And if I’m ever going down (and I’m not), I’m going down swinging. It is all I know and it is how I am built.
— Michael Avenatti (@MichaelAvenatti) January 9, 2020