Federal Agents Arrest Michael Avenatti for Violation of Terms of Release
“Completely innocent,” Avenatti grumbled as the agents took him out of the courthouse.
Federal agents arrested Michael Avenatti on Tuesday evening or violating the terms of his release:
The arrest occurred outside the disciplinary hearing in which the State Bar of California has accused the hard-charging, tough-talking attorney of using a doctored document to scam a client out of nearly $840,000, funneling money from a lawsuit settlement fund to his own personal use.
The State Bar of California, the official attorney licensing agency, has sought to put Avenatti on “involuntary inactive status,” setting in motion a timeline for disbarment proceedings.
During a break in testimony, members of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, who are prosecuting Avenatti in a separate criminal matter in Orange County, parleyed with Avenatti’s team of lawyers and took the lawyer into custody.
“I understand that Mr. Avenatti has been arrested by the federal authorities for violating the terms of his release,” said attorney Steven Bledsoe, who represents the alleged Avenatti victim in the State Bar case and was present when the arrest occurred.
Avenatti’s lead counsel told the court that his client “was unable to return to court.” He attended court “for an unrelated California State bar Association disciplinary hearing.”
The association pondered to place Avenatti on “‘involuntary inactive status’ for ‘using a doctored document to scam a client out of nearly $840,000.”
The allegations accuse him of misappropriating that money to his client Gregory Barela. The client “continued inquiries about the funds to Avenatti, and the attorney allegedly kept the cash for himself.”
Avenatti still owes Barela $710,000.
Avenatti grumbled “[C]ompletely innocent” as the agents took him out of the courthouse.
New filing in United States v. Avenatti: Letterhttps://t.co/z08KawGNYu pic.twitter.com/0uCPdbJP6m
— Big Cases Bot (@big_cases) January 15, 2020
Just moments ago ex-Stormy Daniels attorney Michael Avenatti was taken out of the California State Bar Court in LA the custody of federal agents. pic.twitter.com/cU8sM4DUw1
— Jason McGahan (@JasonMcGahan) January 15, 2020
Avenatti was taken into federal custody around 6pm PST during a break in testimony in a disciplinary case in which he was testifying to accusations he stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from a client.
— Jason McGahan (@JasonMcGahan) January 15, 2020
Avenatti’s lawyer Dean Steward confirmed the arrest. He also believes Avenatti will have a bail hearing today around 2 p.m. local time in Santa Ana.
Avenatti faces accusations of “fraud, cheating on his taxes and lying to investigators.” The feds “allege he embezzled funds from his clients.”
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Comments
I am curious what the violation is.
They’re not saying.
His crime, he is still breathing, which allows his big obnoxious mouth to get him in more hot water.
I wonder how long it will take for him end up in deep crap in prison?
He had claimed he was Presidential material… for the Democrats, he is probably correct. Liar, cheater, swindler, low life, well, that certainly checks off a number of enhancements for his chances of being better than the clown show that was on last night.
Don’t forget all the passionate fawning and drooling over Avenatti by the MSM ( you know, the same people who passionately think Trump is a criminal ).
“…drooling over Avenatti by the MSM…”
And by Ragspierre: “A well respected attorney”.
LOL. Hi Raggsy.
I think that Rags and Avenatti probably have much more in common than TDS.
And, of course, he’s white. But to be a credible Democrat candidate he should be much richer.
He will soon be disbarred, just like Bill Clinton.
But, no matter what, he isn’t married to the Hildabeest.
Yet
i did not steal $ from my clients… while biting his lip & pointing his finger…
the poor thing is j epstein light…
Hey Mike, the place your heading to is filled with “innocent” people. You ought to write a book.
If the terms of release were, “Defendant agrees not to be a scumbag,” this arrest was inevitable.
It looks like the CPL (creepy porn lawyer) will be spending the night at the Gray Bar Inn. Gee, that’s too bad.
Perhaps Pelosi called him in as a consultant and he traveled out of State without consent.
Avenatti ought to be in a Geico commercial. He’s an “OK” lawyer, now dba “Dennis Celery”. 😉
Occasionally, justice prevails. Let’s hope this is one of those times.
Someone wanted to make an example . . .
We almost always waited until the court hearing was over before acting on the court’s invitation too lock-up.