Attorney Michael Avenatti pleaded not guilty to embezzlement and other charges Monday.
Avenatti, who gained national attention when he represented porn star Stormy Daniels, pleaded not guilty in Santa Ana, Calif., to all 36 counts against him. According to an indictment from earlier this month, Avenatti embezzled and concealed settlement funds from five clients. Rather than pay his clients settlement funds, he kept the money and spent it on personal expenses, according to the indictment.
“The right to a presumption of innocence and the right to a jury trial are two fundamental rights that our founding fathers demanded when this country was formed over 200 years ago,” Avenatti said in a statement. “As a citizen of this country, I am entitled to both, I expect both, and I demand both. We don’t convict someone in America based on a one-sided argument and a press conference. Even when he is one of the biggest enemies of the president and his son.”
Avenatti, 48, became a household name when he was picked to represent Daniels in her legal fight against President Trump. The porn star claims she had an extramarital affair with Trump years ago. Trump denies any such relationship.
At the height of his popularity, Avenatti even flouted a run for president in 2020 to challenge Trump, whom he often criticizes.
However, as Avenatti himself became the target of legal action and faced financial problems, Daniels dropped him as a lawyer and Avenatti is no longer a cable news fixture.
Avenatti is expected to appear in court for trial on June 25. He also faces charges that he attempted to extort millions from Nike in a different case. Avenatti has rejected the charges.
