These days, it seems like former President Donald Trump is making as many appearances in courtrooms as he once did on the campaign trail. Among the numerous legal battles he faces, one particularly notable case involves his alleged defamation of adult film star Stormy Daniels. Represented by attorney Michael Avenatti, Daniels sued Trump for defamation after he publicly dismissed their past encounter as a “con job.”
In this high-profile case, Trump’s statements were deemed by a California judge to be protected under free speech, stalling Daniels’ defamation lawsuit on appeal. However, Trump still faces legal scrutiny regarding whether he falsified business records to conceal payments made to Daniels. Meanwhile, Avenatti, once a prominent figure in legal circles, has seen his own share of legal troubles.
In 2020, Avenatti was convicted of tax evasion, fraud, and extortion, with charges including attempts to extort millions from clients, including Stormy Daniels and sportswear giant Nike. Serving his time at the Federal Correctional Institution in California, Avenatti has faced multiple prison sentences, totaling 19 years with no possibility of parole. Despite pleading not guilty, his convictions and sentences have withstood appeals.
Recently, Avenatti made headlines again with his first-ever prison interview with MSNBC’s Ari Melber. In the interview, he questioned the validity of the ongoing Trump/Daniels hush money case, labeling it as “stale” and based on a “legally tenuous” theory. While expressing skepticism about the case’s merits, Avenatti still anticipated a conviction for Trump, emphasizing the potential impact on American democracy and the presidency itself.
