Michael Avenatti: Superstar lawyer and former Trump foe will get 14 extra years in jail | US Information

US lawyer Michael Avenatti, who rose to fame representing porn actor Stormy Daniels throughout her authorized battles with Donald Trump, has been sentenced to 14 years in jail.

Already in jail for separate convictions, Avenatti admitted dishonest 4 of his purchasers out of hundreds of thousands of {dollars}.

He was additionally ordered to pay greater than $10m (£8.2m) in restitution. The jail sentence will run consecutively to the 5 years he’s at present serving for stealing e-book proceeds from Daniels and for attempting to extort Nike into paying him as much as $25m (£20.5m).

It’s the final of three main federal prison instances to wrap up in opposition to the 51-year-old Californian, who grew to become one of many former president’s main adversaries.

Avenatti pleaded responsible earlier this yr to 4 counts of wire fraud and a tax-related cost. He was accused of negotiating and gathering settlement funds on behalf of his purchasers and funnelling the cash to accounts he managed, and spending it on his personal lavish life-style, together with a non-public jet.

Prosecutor Brett Sagel instructed the courtroom in Santa Ana, California: “Regardless of the numerous benefits this defendant had – a first-rate training, a thriving authorized profession – he selected to commit the deplorable acts on this case time and time once more.

“The defendant is simply one other prison who thinks the legislation is one thing that applies to different folks.”

His voice breaking, Avenatti apologised to his victims, together with two who instructed the courtroom about how shedding the cash and their belief in somebody they thought had their again upended their lives.

In a single incident, Avenatti collected a $4m (£3.3m) settlement from Los Angeles County for a person who suffered accidents whereas in custody, and was left paraplegic after a suicide try, however Avenatti by no means instructed him the cash was acquired.

As a substitute, authorities mentioned Avenatti used the funds to finance his espresso enterprise and pay private bills, and gave the person smaller quantities starting from $1,000 to $1,900 that he referred to as advances on the broader settlement.

The person, Geoffrey Johnson, instructed the courtroom: “I’m not positive I ever can belief anybody else once more.”

Avenatti rose to prominence representing Daniels, who claimed she was paid hush cash to remain quiet about an extramarital affair with former President Donald Trump.

Daniels had sued Mr Trump in 2018, and tried to cancel a non-disclosure settlement concerning the alleged affair.

Avenatti grew to become a daily chat present visitor, usually outspoken about Mr Trump. Commentators even advised at one level that Avenatti could run for president.