Michael Avenatti searched for “Nike put options” and “insider trading” ahead of his alleged attempt to extort the company out of millions of dollars, according to court documents.
The searches were revealed in a court document dated Jan. 24, and the high-profile lawyer’s web history was recovered by the government, according to the filing. The searches occurred weeks before Avenatti was arrested on charges of attempting to extort Nike.
The lawyer has not been charged with insider trading nor has he been accused of attempting to trade Nike stock.
Avenatti, 48, was arrested in March when, according to prosecutors, he threatened to “use his ability to garner publicity to inflict substantial financial and reputational harm on the company” by publicizing accusations that Nike illegally paid families of college recruits if it did not pay him and another lawyer $15 million to $25 million. Law enforcement recorded discussions Avenatti had with the company that led to his arrest.
Earlier this month, the lawyer was arrested by federal agents during a disciplinary hearing for violating his pretrial release terms. Avenatti faces charges in both California and New York of fraud, embezzlement, and extortion.
[Read more: Michael Avenatti was at least $15 M in debt during Nike extortion]
