Bombshell: Trump-Hater Michael Avenatti Arrested on Felony Charges
Michael Avenatti might be learning there’s a dark side to life in the spotlight.
Avenatti, the lawyer who’s become a cable news celebrity for representing adult-film star Stormy Daniels in her lawsuit against President Donald Trump, is on the other side of the law after being arrested on Wednesday on suspicion of felony domestic violence, the Los Angeles police reported.
According to Fox News, he was released on bail Thursday morning.
Update: We can confirm that Michael Avenatti (DOB: 02-16-71) was booked this afternoon on a felony domestic violence charge (273.5 PC). His bail is set at $50,000.
— LAPD HQ (@LAPDHQ) November 15, 2018
While police haven’t disclosed details, The Associated Press reported that an LAPD spokesman, Officer Tony Im, told reporters that the victim has visible injuries.
TMZ reports that an unnamed law enforcement source told them that the alleged incident occurred after Avenatti “kicked” an unidentified woman “out of the apartment,” after which she returned and he allegedly abused her.
The AP reported that Avenatti issued a statement that claimed the “fabricated” allegations were meant to harm his reputation, and called them “completely bogus.”
Later, he again denied the accusations to reporters and thanked the LAPD, who he said “had no option in light of the allegations.”
“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 to be an advocate. I am not going to be intimidated from stopping what I am doing,” Avenatti told reporters, according to ABC News.
“I am looking forward to a full investigation at which point I am confident I will be fully exonerated. I also want to thank everyone for their support that has reached out. You know my character. You know me as a man and I appreciate it,” he added.
ABC News reported that his case will be will presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney for prosecution and that Avenatti is due in court on Dec. 5.
Avenatti became famous representing Daniels in her lawsuit against President Trump, in which she sued to invalidate the confidentiality agreement she signed that kept her from talking about the alleged affair she had with Trump in 2006.
She’s also sued Trump and his personal attorney Michael Cohen for defamation, but that case was thrown out of court, with Daniels ordered to pay Trump’s legal costs.
Daniels told New York Magazine that if the allegations against Avenatti prove true, she will be “seeking new representation.”
NEW: Statement from Stormy Daniels regarding Michael Avenatti @NYMag pic.twitter.com/p1dUgCN9tr
— Olivia Nuzzi (@Olivianuzzi) November 15, 2018
Avenatti also gained celebrity after representing Julie Swetnick, a woman who claimed that Kavanaugh took part in “gang” and “train” rapes in high school.
However, last month Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley accused Avenatti of conspiring to make false statements to Congress during the Kavanuagh hearings, and gave the FBI two criminal investigation referrals for Avenatti’s part in the allegations.
To Democrats, however, Avenatti’s role in the attempts to keep Kavanaugh out of the Supreme Court made him a hero, especially for women, with his frequent attacks on Trump furthering his Democratic support.
Avenatti’s success in getting publicity has even inspired him to consider a 2020 presidential run. He recently started a political action committee and began giving speeches across the U.S.
But if the allegations against Avenatti are true, then his status as a champion for women has made a mockery of abuse victims.
If they aren’t true, then for once he’s found out what it’s like to be on the other side of false assault allegations.
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