Michael Avenatti pleads guilty to five criminal charges in federal court

[IceWizard]

Michael Avenatti pleads guilty to
five criminal charges in federal court






Michael Avenatti, the former lawyer for Stormy Daniels, a porn star, pleaded guilty to
five criminal charges in federal court on Thursday.

Avenatti pleaded guilty to four counts of wire fraud from defrauding clients as well as
one tax-related charge during a court hearing in Santa Ana, California. He faces a
maximum sentence of 83 years in prison.

The lawyer, who is representing himself, failed to reach a deal with federal prosecutors
earlier in the week but decided to change his plea in an effort to hold himself accountable
and avoid any further embarrassment to his family.

He admitted to obstructing and impeding efforts by the Internal Revenue Service to collect
unpaid payroll taxes, which add up to $5 million.




Adult film actress Stormy Daniels, left, stands with her lawyer
Michael Avenatti during a news conference.
(AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, File)



In addition to the five criminal charges Avenatti pleaded guilty to on Thursday, he could also
face an additional 31 counts depending on if the government wants to pursue those. A decision
on the remaining 31 counts is expected next week.

Avenatti's sentencing date will be in mid-September if the government opts not to pursue
the remaining 31 counts.

He will be forced to pay fines in excess of $1 million and restitution which the government
says is $14 million.

The hearing was delayed on Thursday morning while Avenatti met with his appointed counsel,
then told the judge that he's "prepared to plead guilty to five counts this morning."



Michael Avenatti, attorney for porn actress Stormy Daniels, talks to reporters outside
federal court in Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019. A federal judge appeared inclined
to toss out a lawsuit against President Donald Trump by Daniels that seeks to tear up
a hush-money settlement about their alleged affair. Avenatti argued the case should
continue because he wanted to take sworn statements from Trump and Cohen.
He plans to ask for legal fees.
(AP Photo/Brian Melley)



Avenatti is serving five years in a federal prison in California for two convictions handed
down in New York in relation to stealing book proceeds from Daniels.

He was also convicted of attempting to extort Nike if it didn't pay him up to $25 million.

In a previous filing on June 12, Avenatti’s lawyer said that a plea deal was unable to be
reached with the government.

"Despite repeated efforts over the last year by Mr. Avenatti and his counsel, including
substantial efforts made in the last 30 days, defendant has been unable to reach a plea
agreement with the government," Avenatti’s lawyer said. "Mr. Avenatti wishes to plea in
order to be accountable; avoid his former clients being further burdened; save the Court
and the government significant resources; and save his family further embarrassment."

Avenatti has been suspended by the State Bar of California.









The Associated Press and Fox News' Ross Lee
and Bradford Betz contributed to this report.