Former attorney Michael Avenatti, representing himself, presents his closing arguments during his criminal trial at the United States Courthouse in the Manhattan borough of New York City, February 2, 2022 in this courtroom sketch.
Jane Rosenberg | Reuters
A New York jury on Friday convicted disgraced celebrity lawyer Michael Avenatti of swindling his former client, porn star Stormy Daniels, out of money she was owed for a book.
The guilty verdict at the fraud trial in Manhattan federal court is Avenatti’s second criminal conviction in that court. He was previously convicted at a separate trial there of an extortion scheme against athletic apparel giant Nike.
Avenatti before his downfall had been a leading critic of former President Donald Trump.
Daniels has claimed that she had a one-time sexual tryst with Trump years ago.
Trump has denied her allegations. But his former lawyer Michael Cohen has said he paid Daniels hush money before the 2016 presidential election to keep her quiet about her claims.
Avenatti has yet to begin serving a 30-month prison sentence for his effort to shake down Nike out of up to $25 million. He is out on bond while appealing his conviction in that case.
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