Vermont Democrats canceled appearances by Michael Avenatti after the celebrity lawyer was arrested in Los Angeles on suspicion of felony domestic violence.
“It has been widely reported by ABC News and other outlets that Michael Avenatti has been arrested in Los Angeles, California on charges of suspected felony domestic violence,” R. Christopher Di Mezzo, the state party’s communications director, said in a statement. “The Vermont Democratic Party has cancelled Mr. Avenatti’s forthcoming scheduled appearances in Vermont, and will be refunding all ticket sales.”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Avenatti Appearances Cancelled Due to Allegations of Domestic Violence
The Vermont Democratic Party has cancelled Mr. Avenatti’s forthcoming scheduled appearances in Vermont, and will be refunding all ticket sales. pic.twitter.com/L8bbjGbrJt
— R. Christopher Di Mezzo (@rcdimezzo) November 14, 2018
Avenatti, who has been exploring a 2020 Democratic presidential bid, was set to appear with party officials in Burlington, Vt., on Friday and in White River Junction, Vt., on Saturday, according to the Burlington Free Press.
The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed Wednesday that detectives had arrested Avenatti, but multiple outlets reported the attorney had yet to be booked by officers.
Avenatti on Wednesday blasted the domestic violence allegations made against him.
“I have never been physically abusive in my life nor was I last night. Any accusations to the contrary are fabricated and meant to do harm to my reputation,” Avenatti said in a statement via his law office. “I look forward to being fully exonerated.”
Avenatti became a cable news fixture this year after taking on porn star Stormy Daniels’ cases against President Trump. He has publicly mulled becoming a Democratic 2020 presidential candidate, making several trips to early-voting states.
