Disgraced anti-Trump lawyer and former presidential hopeful Michael Avenatti was sentenced to an additional 14 years in prison for defrauding clients, in additon to the 5 year term he had previously been sentenced to.
United States District Judge James V. Selna stated that Avenatti “has done great evil for which he must answer” during the sentencing.
The judge also ordered Avenatti to pay $10,810,709 in restitution to four clients and to the IRS.
“Michael Avenatti was a corrupt lawyer who claimed he was fighting for the little guy,” U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada said in a statement. “In fact, he only cared about his own selfish interests. He stole millions of dollars from his clients — all to finance his extravagant lifestyle that included a private jet and race cars.”
BREAKING: Incarcerated lawyer Michael Avenatti sentenced to 14 years in federal prison for cheating clients out of millions of dollars – AP
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) December 5, 2022
“As a result of his illegal acts, he has lost his right to practice law in California, and now he will serve a richly deserved prison sentence,” Estrada added.
BREAKING: Michael Avenatti sentenced to 14 years in prison for dodging taxes and stealing millions of dollars from clients
— Insider Paper (@TheInsiderPaper) December 5, 2022
“Michael Avenatti violated the trust placed in him by his clients. Instead of helping his clients receive the compensation that they were owed and needed, he pocketed the money, stealing from people who were already hurting. The money was used to fuel a lavish lifestyle that had no limits,” Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation’s Los Angeles Field Office Tyler Hatcher said.
Feel good story of the day!
BREAKING: Incarcerated lawyer Michael Avenatti sentenced to 14 years in federal prison for defrauding his clients and for obstructing IRS efforts.
Apparently the below worked out about as well as all his other scams. pic.twitter.com/t0GStv9lPr— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) December 5, 2022
“While today’s sentencing concludes the government’s case against Mr. Avenatti, the enormous damage left behind will be felt by his former clients for quite some time,” Hatcher added. “It is our sincere hope that his victims will take some solace in the fact that he has been held accountable for his criminal actions.”
As Valiant News previously reported, Avenatti was convicted in February of stealing almost $300,000 from his former client Stormy Daniels, the porn actress who claims she was paid not to talk about an affair with 45th President Donald Trump, who flatly denied the affair.
