A former client is suing Michael Avenatti, the lawyer who represented porn actress Stormy Daniels in a lawsuit against President Trump, for allegedly skimming money off a $4 million settlement.
Geoffrey Johnson, who uses a wheelchair, is suing Avenatti and several others for at least $9.5 million plus damages. Jonson filed suit in the Orange County Superior Court in California, according to Reuters.
“On a 1-to-100 scale, the despicability of [Avenatti’s] conduct ranks 1,000,” Johnson’s lawyer Daniel Callahan said. “It is off-the-charts bad.”
“Mr. Johnson’s claims are categorically false and frivolous, and his case will be thrown out of court,” Avenatti said in an email.
Johnson received the $4 million settlement after suing Los Angeles County over injuries sustained during an attempted suicide. Johnson jumped off an elevated floor while locked in a Los Angeles jail. Johnson argued that he had mental health issues from being wrongfully arrested and convicted.
“I never thought I would get victimized by my own attorney,” Johnson said. “I wish he had just given me my money.”
Avenatti allegedly drained the account the money was in while giving Johnson monthly payments of $1,900 to make him believe the money was safe.
The State Bar of California began the process of revoking Avenatti’s license to practice law on June 3. The state bar office filed to place Avenatti on involuntary inactive status.
