Michael Avenatti will not face felony domestic violence charges over an incident involving Estonian actress Mareli Miniutti at an upscale Los Angeles apartment building this month, authorities announced Wednesday.
Avenatti had been accused by Miniutti, with whom he had lived since January, of physically hurting her during an argument on Nov. 13. Their fight, allegedly over money, reportedly spilled into the lobby of their apartment complex and resulted in Avenatti being arrested by the Los Angeles Police Department.
“A case presented today by #LosAngeles police involving attorney Michael Avenatti has been referred to the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office for misdemeanor filing consideration,” the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office tweeted Wednesday.
A case presented today by #LosAngeles police involving attorney Michael Avenatti has been referred to the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office for misdemeanor filing consideration, the #LACounty District Attorney’s Office announced. @CityAttorneyLA @LAPDHQ #LADAOffice
— LA District Attorney (@LADAOffice) November 21, 2018
Miniutti, who Avenatti had dated since October 2017, has also filed a restraining order against the celebrity attorney.
Avenatti, a potential 2020 Democratic presidential candidate, has consistently denied any accusation of being violent toward a woman. On Wednesday, he said he was “especially grateful for justice” this Thanksgiving.
“I am thankful that the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office has rejected filing any charges against me after a fair, careful and thorough investigation,” he said in a statement. “I have maintained my innocence since the moment of my arrest. I wish to thank my supporters, friends, family, attorneys, and clients for the outpouring of support they provided.”
TMZ originally reported that an ex-wife had made the complaint against Avenatti. Avenatti has been married twice before, but both of his former partners issued glowing character references following his release from police custody.
Avenatti on Wednesday reiterated his repeated demands for an apology from the gossip website over its inaccurate coverage.
“I am still waiting for apologies from @tmz for their demonstrably false article from last Wed (false on at least 9 key facts,’ including that I beat a woman in her face),” he tweeted. “I am also waiting on apologies from all of the other news orgs that quoted from the story bc they are lazy.”
I am still waiting for apologies from @tmz for their demonstrably false article from last Wed (false on at least 9 key “facts,” including that I beat a woman in her face). I am also waiting on apologies from all of the other news orgs that quoted from the story bc they are lazy.
— Michael Avenatti (@MichaelAvenatti) November 21, 2018
The Los Angeles Superior Court will hear Miniutti’s case regarding the restraining order on Dec. 10. In addition to the TMZ story and the restraining order, Avenatti is facing possible criminal charges from the Justice Department over his handing of allegations made by Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s third accuser, Julie Swetnick.
