Disgraced legal professional Michael Avenatti was sentenced to 4 years in jail by a federal choose Thursday for stealing almost $300,000 in e-book advance cash from porn star Stormy Daniels.
A portion of his sentence can be served concurrent to time he’s already doing in a separate extortion case — however the fallen lawyer should serve 30 months of the brand new sentence after that, Manhattan federal Decide Jesse Furman ordered.
Throughout the sentencing listening to, Avenatti, sporting beige jail fatigues, choked up at instances as he addressed Furman, describing how his life had been upended since his arrests on numerous federal costs.
“I’ve introduced embarrassment and mock upon myself and harmless third events, together with my household, my youngsters, my buddies and the authorized career,” he instructed Furman.
“I've destroyed my profession, my relationships and my status and achieved collateral injury to my household and my life. There's critical doubt as to how or if I'll get well any semblance of a traditional life or peace,” Avenatti added.
The loudmouth lawyer, who rose to nationwide fame throughout Donald Trump’s presidency by representing Daniels, stole two e-book advance funds from the porn star in 2018 that totaled almost $300,000, a jury discovered at his trial earlier this 12 months.
Daniels inked a e-book deal that 12 months after it emerged she was paid $130,000 in hush cash within the lead-up to the 2016 presidential election to maintain quiet about an alleged affair she had with Trump years earlier.
Earlier than he imposed the sentence, Furman referred to as the theft “brazen” and “egregious” — however acknowledged it was seemingly achieved out of desperation and that Avenatti meant to pay Daniels the cash again.
“He took benefit of a susceptible sufferer,” Furman stated of Avenatti, including that he breached her belief, “the very best responsibility a lawyer owes to a shopper.”
A lawyer for Daniels, Clark Brewster, blasted Avenatti in a courtroom assertion earlier than the sentence was handed down.
“He just about left her deserted,” Brewster stated. “He put her ready of not solely being victimized by his legal conduct, but in addition simply fully left her.”
Assistant US Legal professional Matthew Podolsky additionally spoke in regards to the betrayal Daniels felt after her legal professional lied and stole from her.
“You may think about the unbelievable private betrayal that occurred when she came upon her lawyer, Mr. Avenatti, not solely stole her cash however lied to her again and again,” he instructed Furman.
“Ms. Daniels trusted him. She completely believed he was working for her,” he added.
Avenatti is at the moment serving 2 ½ years for attempting to extort tens of millions of dollars from sportswear large Nike.
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