Embattled attorney Michael Avenatti faces up to 335 years in prison after being charged Thursday with 36 counts of tax fraud, wire fraud, bank fraud, and bankruptcy fraud.
Federal prosecutors announced the charges against the celebrity lawyer after he allegedly was stealing clients’ money to pay for his lavish personal lifestyle that included a $5 million jet.
Avenatti responded Thursday on Twitter saying he believed he would be fully exonerated.
“For 20 years, I have represented Davids vs. Goliaths and relied on due process and our system of justice. Along the way, I have made many powerful enemies. I am entitled to a FULL presumption of innocence and am confident that justice will be done once ALL of the facts are known,” Avenatti said.
For 20 years, I have represented Davids vs. Goliaths and relied on due process and our system of justice. Along the way, I have made many powerful enemies. I am entitled to a FULL presumption of innocence and am confident that justice will be done once ALL of the facts are known.
— Michael Avenatti (@MichaelAvenatti) April 11, 2019
Avenatti added in another tweet that he intends to “fully fight all charges and plead NOT GUILTY.”
In March, two more federal cases, one in New York and another in California, were opened against Avenatti regarding his attempt to extort millions of dollars out of Nike by telling them he would run a smear campaign against them if they refused to buy him off. From the Nike case in New York, Avenatti could face a sentence of 47 years in prison.
Stormy Daniels said last month she had found a different lawyer after she said Avenatti failed to treat her with “respect” and “deference.”
