Embattled attorney Michael Avenatti was charged by federal prosecutors in New York Wednesday with defrauding adult-film star Stormy Daniels, the client who propelled Avenatti into the national spotlight. Weeks later, the lawyer allegedly "used funds recently received from another source" to pay Daniels the amount she was owed -- $148,750. When Daniels asked for the remaining money, Avenatti allegedly misled her to believe that the book's publisher was refusing to pay the amount to Daniels' literary agent. Far from zealously representing his client, Avenatti, as alleged, instead engaged in outright deception and theft, victimizing rather than advocating for his client." EMAILS SHOW AVENATTI CLIENT RACING TO FIND SETTLEMENT FUNDS HE NOW SAYS LAWYER USED FOR 'PONZI-LIKE' SCHEMEAt the time, Avenatti responded that he was still Daniels "biggest champion."

Source: Fox News May 22, 2019 19:04 UTC