Celebrity attorney Michael Avenatti was reportedly arrested by IRS agents in the middle of a hearing before the California Bar Association; stemming from a legal complaint the lawyer swindled a client out of $840,000.
“Attorney Michael Avenatti was arrested by Internal Revenue Service (IRS) agents Tuesday evening during a break in a disciplinary hearing in Los Angeles over allegations that the high-profile lawyer scammed a client out of $840,000,” reports Fox News. “The arrest occurred around 6 p.m. outside the State Bar Court, where the State Bar of California has initiated proceedings against him.”
“I can confirm that he was arrested by federal agents,” Avenatti’s lawyer Dean Steward said. “I anticipate a bail hearing at 2 p.m. tomorrow in Magistrate’s Court in Santa Ana. I haven’t seen the details of the warrant, but should have it later this evening.“
“Avenatti did not return to the court when the hearing resumed. His attorneys called for a sidebar with the judge and said he would not be able to return due to circumstances related to a criminal matter in Orange County,” adds Fox.
Read the full report here.
Source: Fox News
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.