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Stormy Daniels' Lawyer Allegedly Stole $300,000 From Her

LAS VEGAS, NV - AUGUST 31: Attorney Michael Avenatti speaks during a news conference with Battle Born Progress, a progressive communications organization, on August 31, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Avenatti is representing adult film actress/director Stormy Daniels in her cases against U.S. President Donald Trump and his former attorney Michael Cohen. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
By William Vogeler, Esq. on May 24, 2019

Obviously, Stormy Daniels and Monica Lewinsky have something in common. But there's also a big difference.

Daniels made a lot more money after an alleged affair with her president than Lewinsky made with hers. Donald Trump denied the affair, of course, and Bill Clinton did "not have sex with that woman."

If you are not sick of the stories, here's another twist in the Stormy tale. Her lawyer screwed her out of allegedly stole $300,000 from her.. Like nobody saw that coming.

Lawyers Gone Wild

In the latest episode of Lawyers Gone Wild, Michael Avenatti has been indicted for stealing from the former porn star. She reportedly had a book deal for $800,000, but Avenatti diverted nearly $300,000 to his own account. Prosecutors say he forged Daniels' signature to get the money. Lies, all lies, says Avenatti.

"I look forward to a jury hearing all of the evidence and passing judgment on my conduct," he told CNN. "At no time was any money misappropriated or mishandled. I will be fully exonerated once the relevant emails, contracts, text messages, and documents are presented."

Spoken like a lawyer, but that's only half the story. According to the New York indictment, he also demanded Nike pay him $20 million before he held a press conference to announce a basketball scandal involving the shoe company. Some people call that extortion.

Meanwhile, Avenatti has more legal problems in California. Prosecutors there allege he failed to pay taxes for a company he founded. They also say he commingled funds, pilfered clients' money, and committed perjury.

The Lawyer and the Porn Star

Avenatti rose to fame representing Daniels, who was paid $130,000 in hush money to cover-up her affair with Trump before his election to the White House. Michael Cohen, Trump's former attorney, admitted as much and is serving a three-year sentence for campaign-finance violations.

Then a judge dismissed Daniel's case against the president, freeing her to tell her story and sell her book. Daniels ended her relationship with Avenatti about the same time, saying he "dealt with me extremely dishonestly."

If Daniels' story holds up, Avenatti is looking at potential prison time. Yep, it looks like the porn star fired her lawyer good.

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