Attorney Michael Avenatti, whose name was floated as a potential presidential nominee, was sentenced to 14 years in federal prison for tax and wire fraud.
Avenatti became nationally known when he attacked former President Donald Trump after representing adult film actress Stormy Daniels, who accused Trump of paying her off in order to keep quiet about an alleged extramarital affair. He was later convicted of trying to extort millions of dollars from the Nike shoe company.
On Monday, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for California released a statement detailing the sentence against the attorney. Avenatti pleaded guilty to fraud charges related to his efforts to obstruct the IRS from collecting $3 million from a coffee business he owned. He also admitted to stealing millions from his clients.
The statement noted one of Avenatti’s victims was a paraplegic with mental health issues.
He was also ordered to pay $10.8 million in restitution to the IRS and four of his clients.
“Michael Avenatti was a corrupt lawyer who claimed he was fighting for the little guy. In fact, he only cared about his own selfish interests,” said U.S. attorney Martin Estrada.
“He stole millions of dollars from his clients – all to finance his extravagant lifestyle that included a private jet and race cars,” he added. “As a result of his illegal acts, he has lost his right to practice law in California, and now he will serve a richly deserved prison sentence.”
The statement said Avenatti stole approximately $7.6 million from the four clients.
Avenatti was inexplicably touted by many in the media as a possible Democratic presidential nominee because of his caustic public attacks on Trump.
The 51-year-old attorney had been previously sentenced to 5 years for stealing from Daniels and for his extortion scheme against Nike.
Here’s more about Avenatti’s bad luck:
Avenatti faces more prison timewww.youtube.com