(Lucas Jackson/Reuters)Federal prosecutors in New York unsealed new charges Wednesday against Michael Avenatti, accusing the prominent lawyer of defrauding his most famous former client, adult-film star Stormy Daniels, in connection with her book deal. The other indictment formally charges Avenatti with attempting to extort the athletic apparel company Nike in a separate case connected to his arrest in March. Avenatti, 48, no longer represents Daniels, but he parlayed their association into frequent cable news appearances and flirted with running for president. That indictment charges Avenatti “would misrepresent, conceal, and falsely describe to the client” the details of their settlement and its funds, routing the money instead into accounts he controlled. As Daniels’s lawyer, Avenatti publicly taunted the president and his lawyers, winning fans among liberals and critics among fellow lawyers.

Source: Washington Post May 22, 2019 19:36 UTC