An actress has accused attorney and potential 2020 presidential candidate Michael Avenatti of pulling her across a floor and calling her an “ungrateful fucking bitch” during a dispute.
In a declaration filed by Estonian actress Mareli Miniutti, the woman said that Avenatti called her a “bitch” and slammed pillows in her face during a dispute about money, The Blast first reported Tuesday. Miniutti has already filed a restraining order against Avenatti, and the Los Angeles Superior Court’s online records show a hearing is slated for Dec. 10 on the matter.
Avenatti allegedly told Miniutti to not “disrespect” him and tried to pull her out of bed by her wrist. He also allegedly confiscated her cell phone when she tried to contact a friend for help, before hauling her across the floor of the apartment. She also claims Avenatti yanked her back into his apartment after she tried to ring the doorbell of a neighbor.
Miniutti, who claims Avenatti has been aggressive in the past, notified security about the alleged incident and stayed at a friend’s home the following night and contacted the police about the incident, according to the declaration.
Soon after The Blast report was published, Avenatti declared that he is innocent and has “NEVER abused a woman or committed domestic violence against anyone.” He shared that he is requesting that the apartment building immediately release to his counsel and the Los Angeles Police Department all footage from all security cameras that captured footage of the alleged incident.
I want the truth to be known – all of it. The truth about the alleged incident on Tues night/Wed am, as well as the truth about TMZ’s completely false reporting about last Wed afternoon. I want it ALL disclosed. ASAP. As a result, I just authorized the release of all the video. pic.twitter.com/kMucoFTL8P
— Michael Avenatti (@MichaelAvenatti) November 20, 2018
He has also claimed that he will be “vindicated” and has insisted TMZ publish a retraction.
“When the truth and the facts are fully disclosed, including the security camera footage, I will be vindicated and a lot of people and news organizations are going to owe me an apology as well as money,” Avenatti tweeted Tuesday. “Completely bogus. Let’s start with TMZ’s reporting from last week.”
“.@tmz cannot even reconcile their story from last week with their story from today,” Avenatti said in a separate tweet. “They can’t have it both ways. Their conduct is disgusting and they need to rectify it immediately. We demand a retraction and an apology. Now.”
TMZ first reported last week that Avenatti’s estranged wife Lisa Storie-Avenatti had filed a complaint with the Los Angeles Police Department. But Storie-Avenatti’s attorney said that the “article is not true as it pertains to my client” and TMZ updated its report to say the incident involved a different woman.
Avenatti was released shortly after his arrest and thanked the “hard working men and women of the LAPD for their professionalism.”
