Lawyer to Hollywood stars, Michael Avenatti was sentenced to 14 years jail for stealing from his clients and for obstructing the IRS’s efforts to collect more than $3 million in payroll taxes from an Avenatti-owned coffee business.
Michael Avenatti, 51 will serve the 14 year sentence together with his previously imposed sentence in New York bringing the total to 19 years in prison.
The United States District Judge James V. Selena said that Avenatti “has done great evil for which he must answer.” The judge also ordered that Avenatti was to pay $10,810,709 in restitution to four clients, the IRS and the United States Department of Justice.
“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. He stole millions of dollars from his clients – all to finance his extravagant lifestyle that included a private jet and race cars. As a result of his illegal acts, he has lost the right to practice law in California, and now he will serve a richly deserved prison sentence,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada.
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. He stole millions of dollars from his clientsInfamous Michael Avenatti
Avenatti became infamous for representing porn actor Stormy Daniels during her legal battles with Donald Trump. Currently already in jail for other convictions, earlier this year he pleaded guilty to four counts of wire fraud and a tax-related charge. He was accused of negotiating and collecting settlement payments on behalf of his clients and funneling the money to accounts he controlled, and spending it on a lavish lifestyle.
“Despite the significant advantages this defendant had – a first-rate education, a thriving legal career – he chose to commit the deplorable acts in this case time and time again.
“The defendant is just another criminal who thinks the law is something that applies to other people,” said prosecutor Brett Sagel.
According to one client, Geoffrey Johnson who suffered injuries while in custody and was left paraplegic after a suicide attempt, Avenatti never told him when he collected a settlement amounting to $4m from Los Angeles County.
Michael Avenatti simply used the money to finance his coffee business and personal expenses and gave the man small amounts ranging from $1,000 to $1,900 saying it was an advance on the bigger settlement.
“I am not sure I can trust anyone else again,” said Johnson.
Read More News:
Melinda Gates meets Yogi Adityanath, says Uttar Pradesh a model for the whole world