Celebrity lawyer Michael Avenatti was officially charged Thursday with 36-counts of tax violations, back fraud, and embezzlement after he allegedly funneled “millions of dollars” from his clients.
“Avenatti, 48, was indicted late Wednesday by a Southern California grand jury on a raft of additional charges following his arrest last month in New York on two related counts and for allegedly trying to shake down Nike for up to $25 million,” reports the Associated Press.
Michael Avenatti could face more than 330 years in prison if convicted of the 36 crimes in federal indictment https://t.co/H9n7JKbYS7 pic.twitter.com/8BHNqYR0UN
— CBS News (@CBSNews) April 11, 2019
“If convicted of the 36 crimes alleged in the indictment, Mr. Avenatti would face a statutory maximum sentence of 333 years in federal prison plus a mandatory two-year consecutive term for an identity theft count,” said one official.
“I look forward to the entire truth being known as opposed to a one-sided version meant to sideline me,” Avenatti wrote following his indictment.
The California charges do not include the New York investigation for allegedly attempting to extort sneaker manufacturer Nike out of $25 million.
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.
BREAKING NOW: Michael Avenatti Arrested for Alleged $20M Extortion Scheme Against Nike
Celebrity Attorney Michael Avenatti was arrested Monday for an alleged $20 million extortion plot against clothing manufacturer Nike and is charged with committing bank and wire fraud charges surrounding the attempted scheme.
“Celebrity lawyer Michael Avenatti has been arrested on charges related to an alleged $20 million extortion of the athletic apparel company Nike, federal authorities in New York City said Monday,” reports CNBC.
JUST IN: Michael Avenatti charged with bank and wire fraud in alleged extortion attempt https://t.co/UP31tQaphT pic.twitter.com/ChaAdbSEc2
— The Hill (@thehill) March 25, 2019
BREAKING: Federal prosecutors in New York announce the arrest of Michael Avenatti on charges related to alleged $20 million extortion scheme targeting Nike. https://t.co/rAIUb7UPbf pic.twitter.com/aXbfTDBPrB
— ABC News (@ABC) March 25, 2019
“Avenatti also is charged in a separate federal case out of Los Angeles, where he is accused of embezzling a client’s money ‘in order to pay his own expense and debts,’ and of ‘defrauding a bank in Mississippi,’ prosecutors said,” adds the article.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Read the full story at Fox News.