Disgraced lawyer Michael Avenatti was granted a temporary release from jail, citing concerns he could contract the coronavirus.
Avenatti, who is currently serving time at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York City for trying to extort Nike, was granted release on Friday after his $1 million bail was paid by Hubert Bromma, author of the book How to Invest in Offshore Real Estate and Pay Little or No Taxes, according to The Daily Beast.
He will spend two weeks in quarantine at a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility before he’s allowed to leave to make sure he has not already contracted the virus. Upon completion, he will return to Los Angeles for 90 days. Avenatti will be confined to the residence of Jay Manheimer, a childhood friend, in Venice, California.
Avenatti initially requested his release earlier this month, alleging that his recent bout with pneumonia made him more susceptible to contracting COVID-19. But the judge said he posed “a danger to the community” and could not be released unless he could post $1 million bail.
While out, he will need to wear an ankle monitor and get permission to travel while he’s barred from leaving Manheimer’s house, and he will not be allowed to use the internet or open any bank accounts. Additionally, he’s not allowed to participate in any transaction that exceeds $500.
Earlier this year, Avenatti was convicted of attempting to extort more than $25 million from Nike, and he faces other charges of bank fraud in California. Additionally, he has been charged with stealing $300,000 from pornography actress Stormy Daniels, whom he represented in her case against President Trump. Daniels alleged the lawyer stole the money she received from a book advance.
