Stormy Daniels and lawyer Michael Avenatti are seen at The Abbey on Could 23, 2018 in West Hollywood, California.
Tara Ziemba | Getty Photographs
A federal choose in New York on Thursday sentenced disgraced lawyer Michael Avenatti to 4 years in jail for stealing from his former shopper, onetime grownup movie actor Stormy Daniels, who wrote an explosive 2018 guide.
U.S. District Court docket Choose Jesse Furman known as the defendant’s theft from Daniels “craven and egregious” and mentioned he was fueled by “blind ambition.”
The protection had proposed that Avenatti be sentenced to a few years in jail, whereas prosecutors had sought 4 years behind bars.
Avenatti appeared within the Decrease Manhattan courtroom carrying a jail uniform after Furman denied his request to put on a go well with.
Former lawyer Michael Avenatti chokes up as he reads a press release to U.S. District Choose Jesse Furman within the courtroom earlier than he’s sentenced to 4 years in jail for defrauding his best-known former shopper, the porn actress Stormy Daniels, in New York Metropolis, June 2, 2022 on this courtroom sketch.
Jane Rosenberg | Reuters
In February, Avenatti was convicted of wire fraud and identification theft for pocketing about $300,000 of the $800,000 advance that Daniels was paid for her guide, “Full Disclosure,” which included particulars about an alleged affair she had with Donald Trump earlier than he was president.
He acted as his personal lawyer within the trial, resulting in unorthodox scenes of the defendant cross-examining the victim, Daniels.
Avenatti is already in custody, following his 2020 conviction for extortion, transmission of interstate communications with intent to extort and wire fraud in reference to threats he made in opposition to the sports activities gear big Nike.
He was sentenced to 2½ years behind bars for these crimes. The previous lawyer must serve one other 2½ years in custody, for the Daniels matter, as soon as that Nike time is completed.
Avenatti was as soon as certainly one of cable tv’s most prolific pundits, repeatedly showing on information exhibits to talk for Daniels and criticize then-President Trump, who was accused of paying hush cash to the previous actor.