Linkedin Share
Opinion

Michael Avenatti Gets MORE Bad News, Busted Embezzling $1.5 Million From NBA Player

Linkedin Share

The hits just keep on coming for former porn lawyer Michael Avenatti.

Now that his hopes of running for president as a Democrat are long gone, he just can’t seem to stay out of trouble.

Here’s the scoop…

From The Hill:

Attorney Michael Avenatti in 2017 embezzled $1.5 million from NBA player Hassan Whiteside, the Los Angeles Times reported Sunday.

Trending:
Massive Migrant Caravan Marches Toward US with LGBT Flags Flying as Mexican President Snubs Biden at Summit

The Times, citing bank records and an indictment brought against Avenatti, reported that in 2017 Whiteside — who plays for the Miami Heat — wired Avenatti $2.75 million and intended for his former girlfriend, Alexis Gardner, to get most of the money.

Avenatti was entitled to slightly more than $1 million in fees as part of the deal, according to the Times. But prosecutors say he instead hid the money from Gardner, took $2.5 million and put it toward a private jet, the Times reported.

Whiteside and Gardner noted, “We entered into a mutually agreed upon settlement more than two years ago following the end of our relationship; a settlement that reflected Alexis’ investment of time and support over a number of years as Hassan pursued a career in the NBA.

They added, “It is unfortunate that something that was meant to be kept private between us is now being publicly reported. We have both moved on amicably and wish nothing but the best for each other.

After his stunts with Stormy Daniels and Brett Kavanaugh, Avenatti’s practice was evicted for not being able to pay the bills.

In December 2018, Avenatti said he won’t be running for POTUS.

Stormy has turned on Michael in order to “set the record straight.

She makes it clear that Avenatti abused his power in many ways.

Here’s her full statement:

Related:
Lake Lanier Trends on Twitter After 'Haunted' Spot Claims Another Victim

“For months I’ve asked Michael Avenatti to give me accounting information about the fund my supporters so generously donated to for my safety and legal defense. He has repeatedly ignored those requests. Days ago I demanded again, repeatedly, that he tell me how the money was being spent and how much was left. Instead of answering me, without my permission or even my knowledge Michael launched another crowdfunding campaign to raise money on my behalf. I learned about it on Twitter.

“I haven’t decided yet what to do about legal representation moving forward. Michael has been a great advocate in many ways. I’m tremendously grateful to him for aggressively representing me in my fight to regain my voice. But in other ways Michael has not treated me with the respect and deference an attorney should show to a client. He has spoken on my behalf without my approval. He filed a defamation case against Donald Trump against my wishes. He repeatedly refused to tell me how my legal defense fund was being spent. Now he has launched a new crowdfunding campaign using my face and name without my permission and attributing words to me that I never wrote or said. I’m deeply grateful to my supporters and they deserve to know their money is being spent responsibly. I don’t want to hurt Michael, but it’s time to set the record straight. The truth has always been my greatest ally.

“My goal is the same as it has always been—to stand up for myself and take back my voice after being bullied and intimidated by President Trump and his minions. One way or another I’m going to continue in that fight, and I want everyone who has stood by me to know how profoundly grateful I am for their support.”

Avenatti released his own statement after seeing Stormy’s:

“I am and have always been Stormy’s biggest champion. I have personally sacrificed an enormous amount of money, time and energy toward assisting her because I believe in her. I have always been an open book with Stormy as to all aspects of her cases and she knows that. The retention agreement Stormy signed back in February provided that she would pay me $100.00 and that any and all other monies raised via a legal fund would go toward my legal fees and costs. Instead, the vast majority of the money raised has gone toward her security expenses and similar other expenses. The most recent campaign was simply a refresh of the prior campaign, designed to help defray some of Stormy’s expenses.”

He could be in serious legal trouble, per Daily Wire:

The Daily Beast reached out to professor and legal expert Stephen Gillers of New York University Law School about the implications of Daniels’ claim that Avenatti filed the defamation lawsuit against Trump, which ultimately backfired, against her express wishes. While Avenatti likely wouldn’t be disbarred for such an egregious violation, said Gillers, he could certainly be facing a malpractice lawsuit.

Gillers noted, “If he filed the case with her name when it was clear that she told him not to, then he could be sued for that. He could be sued for malpractice. If true, she has a malpractice case against him. I emphasize if true. And if true, he would be subject to discipline but not as serious as disbarment.”

Avenatti wholeheartedly believed Christine Blasey Ford and his own client Julie Swetnick when they accused Brett Kavanaugh of sexual assault.

In fact, Avenatti was one of those people who thought other people were evil if they didn’t believe Ford and Swetnick.

But now Michael is supposed to be presumed innocent after he was arrested for allegedly beating his girlfriend?

Hmm. It’s a funny world isn’t it, Mike?

The crazy part?

Avenatti might get off with nothing more than a misdemeanor.

Submit a Correction →



Tags:
, , , , , ,
Linkedin Share
About the Author:
John Salvatore has been a Writer and Editor of multiple political blogs since early 2015. He earned his Master’s degree in Public Administration upon completion of a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science. A diehard Los Angeles Dodgers fan, John can be reached at [email protected].




Conversation