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Federal Agents Arrest Michael Avenatti for Violation of Terms of Release

Federal Agents Arrest Michael Avenatti for Violation of Terms of Release

“Completely innocent,” Avenatti grumbled as the agents took him out of the courthouse.

https://twitter.com/JasonMcGahan/status/1217268870471307264

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.

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.

    Milhouse in reply to NotCoach. | January 15, 2020 at 10:34 am

    They’re not saying.

    Avenatti’s criminal lawyer Dean Steward confirmed his arrest to The Hill in an email, saying the arrest warrant is under seal, and a bail hearing will occur Wednesday morning in front of Judge James Selna.

    Thom Mrozek, a spokesman for the U.S. attorney’s office in Los Angeles, confirmed to The Daily Beast that the attorney was arrested for violating his pretrial release terms but declined to provide details.

    JusticeDelivered in reply to NotCoach. | January 15, 2020 at 12:24 pm

    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.

He will soon be disbarred, just like Bill Clinton.

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.