Celebrity Lawyer Michael Avenatti was found guilty Friday for attempting to extort millions of dollars out of shoe manufacturer Nike.
A Federal Jury in New York City found Avenatti guilty on three counts: including wire fraud, extortion, and transmission of “interstate communications with intent to extort.”
“Avenatti, 48, who did not testify in the case against him, pleaded not guilty to charges alleging that he tried to extort up to $25 million from Nike by threatening to expose corruption at the sports footwear company unless he was allowed to conduct an internal probe of Nike,” reports Fox News.
“Avenatti maintained he was taking the aggressive position at the urging of his client, Gary Franklin, who ran a youth basketball league in Los Angeles and was angry that Nike ended a decade-long sponsorship that provided $72,000 annually and free gear. He sought $1.5 million for Franklin, as well,” adds Fox.
Avenatti will be sentenced on July 17th, 2020.
Read the full report here.
AVENATTI UPDATE: Michael Avenatti Speaks with Reporters after Arrest in LA
Celebrity lawyer Michael Avenatti spoke with reporters Wednesday night after his sudden arrest on charges of ‘Felony Domestic Violence,’ saying he would “never strike a woman” and will be “fully exonerated” in time.
“I am not going to be intimidated from stopping what I am doing,” said Michael Avenatti Wednesday night after he was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence earlier in the day. https://t.co/WtVskGeTxu pic.twitter.com/p9lTq2BFIH
— CBS News (@CBSNews) November 15, 2018
“I have never struck a woman. I never will strike a woman. I have been an advocate for women’s rights my entire career and I’m going to continue being an advocate. I’m not going to be intimidated from stopping what I’m doing,” said Avenatti.
“I’m the father to two beautiful, smart daughters. I would never disrespect them by touching a woman inappropriately or striking a woman. I am looking forward to a full investigation at which point I am confident I will be fully exonerated,” he added.
BACKLASH: NBC Anchor Says Michael Avenatti May Have ‘MISLED’ Network over Kavanaugh Accusation
NBC News anchor Chuck Todd accused lawyer and potential 2020 candidate Michael Avenatti of potentially “misleading” his network over accusations of sexual misconduct against Judge Brett Kavanaugh this week; adding the “evidence points that way.”
“Was this an intentional attempt to mislead our reporters? Evidence points that way,” posted the anchor on social media, referencing an NBC report that raised “new questions” over Avenatti’s behavior.
Was this an intentional attempt to mislead our reporters? Evidence points that way… https://t.co/MOxE8WiGK4
— Chuck Todd (@chucktodd) October 26, 2018
Todd’s comments come just hours after Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley referred Avenatti to the Department of Justice for making false statements during Kavanaugh’s brutal confirmation battle.
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