Celebrity Attorney Michael Avenatti was arrested Monday for an alleged $20 million extortion plot against clothing manufacturer Nike and is charged with committing bank and wire fraud charges surrounding the attempted scheme.
“Celebrity lawyer Michael Avenatti has been arrested on charges related to an alleged $20 million extortion of the athletic apparel company Nike, federal authorities in New York City said Monday,” reports CNBC.
JUST IN: Michael Avenatti charged with bank and wire fraud in alleged extortion attempt https://t.co/UP31tQaphT pic.twitter.com/ChaAdbSEc2
— The Hill (@thehill) March 25, 2019
BREAKING: Federal prosecutors in New York announce the arrest of Michael Avenatti on charges related to alleged $20 million extortion scheme targeting Nike. https://t.co/rAIUb7UPbf pic.twitter.com/aXbfTDBPrB
— ABC News (@ABC) March 25, 2019
“Avenatti also is charged in a separate federal case out of Los Angeles, where he is accused of embezzling a client’s money ‘in order to pay his own expense and debts,’ and of ‘defrauding a bank in Mississippi,’ prosecutors said,” adds the article.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Read the full story at Fox News.
AVENATTI UPDATE: Michael Avenatti Speaks with Reporters after Arrest in LA
Celebrity lawyer Michael Avenatti spoke with reporters Wednesday night after his sudden arrest on charges of ‘Felony Domestic Violence,’ saying he would “never strike a woman” and will be “fully exonerated” in time.
“I am not going to be intimidated from stopping what I am doing,” said Michael Avenatti Wednesday night after he was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence earlier in the day. https://t.co/WtVskGeTxu pic.twitter.com/p9lTq2BFIH
— CBS News (@CBSNews) November 15, 2018
“I have never struck a woman. I never will strike a woman. I have been an advocate for women’s rights my entire career and I’m going to continue being an advocate. I’m not going to be intimidated from stopping what I’m doing,” said Avenatti.
“I’m the father to two beautiful, smart daughters. I would never disrespect them by touching a woman inappropriately or striking a woman. I am looking forward to a full investigation at which point I am confident I will be fully exonerated,” he added.
BACKLASH: NBC Anchor Says Michael Avenatti May Have ‘MISLED’ Network over Kavanaugh Accusation
NBC News anchor Chuck Todd accused lawyer and potential 2020 candidate Michael Avenatti of potentially “misleading” his network over accusations of sexual misconduct against Judge Brett Kavanaugh this week; adding the “evidence points that way.”
“Was this an intentional attempt to mislead our reporters? Evidence points that way,” posted the anchor on social media, referencing an NBC report that raised “new questions” over Avenatti’s behavior.
Was this an intentional attempt to mislead our reporters? Evidence points that way… https://t.co/MOxE8WiGK4
— Chuck Todd (@chucktodd) October 26, 2018
Todd’s comments come just hours after Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley referred Avenatti to the Department of Justice for making false statements during Kavanaugh’s brutal confirmation battle.