SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) — A California judge declared a mistrial Tuesday in the embezzlement trial of attorney Michael Avenatti, who is charged with stealing millions in settlement money from his clients. U.S. District Judge James V. Selna ruled on technical grounds that federal prosecutors failed to turn over relevant financial evidence to Avenatti. Another hearing in the case was set for Sept. 2, and Selna scheduled a tentative new trial date for Oct. 12. Avenatti was sentenced in July to 2 1/2 years in prison in a $25 million extortion case in New York. He denied embezzling money and said his law firm was entitled to recoup expenses if settlements were reached.

Source: Huffington Post August 24, 2021 19:30 UTC