Stormy Daniels’ ex-lawyer Michael Avenatti was arrested yesterday on charges of trying to extort up to $25 million from Nike by threatening to reveal damaging claims about the sneaker giant.
Celebrity lawyer Michael Avenatti was arrested Monday in New York City on charges of trying to extort up to $25 million from Nike by threatening to publicize claims that company employees authorized payments to the families of top high school basketball players.
Avenatti was released from Manhattan federal court after a hearing and after signing a $300,000 personal recognizance bond. No actual money is posted for such bail. He would forfeit property or cash equivalent for the dollar amount of the bond if he fails to appear in court for future hearings. At the hearing, where he was represented by a federal public defender, Avenatti was also ordered to have no contact with his alleged co-conspirator, fellow high-profile lawyer Mark Geragos, who is not criminally charged in the case. Avenatti must appear in Los Angeles to face charges there on April 1.
"I made the decision weeks ago to terminate Michael's services after discovering that he had dealt with me extremely dishonestly, and I will have my own announcement coming soon," Daniels said. A person who answered Geragos's office phone told CNBC,"We are not at liberty to speak on the matter. We are not releasing any comments."
The co-conspirator is"an attorney licensed to practice in the state of California, and similarly known for representation of celebrity and public figure clients," the complaint said. "A suit and tie does not mask the fact that at its core, this was an old-fashioned shake down," Berman said.In the Los Angeles case, Avenatti is charged two criminal counts: wire fraud and bank fraud. His presentment in that case will occur at a later date.
Avenatti's law firm in Los Angeles had no immediate comment. The White House did not immediately comment.
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