Michael Avenatti is sued for allegedly siphoning paraplegic's $4 million settlement

[DonViejo]

JUNE 13, 2019 / 12:44 PM / UPDATED 20 HOURS AGO


Jonathan Stempel
4 MIN READ

(Reuters) - Michael Avenatti, the lawyer who represented porn star Stormy Daniels in lawsuits against U.S. President Donald Trump, has been sued by a paraplegic former client who accused him of siphoning away a $4 million settlement he had won.

FILE PHOTO: Lawyer Michael Avenatti speaks as he departs federal court in the Manhattan borough of New York, New York, U.S., May 28, 2019. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri
Geoffrey Johnson is seeking at least $9.5 million, plus punitive damages, from Avenatti and several former colleagues in his civil lawsuit filed with the Orange County Superior Court in California.

“I never thought I would get victimized by my own attorney,” Johnson, who uses a wheelchair, said at a press conference on Thursday. “I wish he had just given me my money.”

Johnson’s claims are also part of federal prosecutors’ criminal case against Avenatti, who has pleaded not guilty to wire fraud, bank fraud, extortion and other charges, including defrauding other clients, in California and New York.

more
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-crime-avenatti-paraplegic/michael-avenatti-is-sued-for-allegedly-siphoning-paraplegics-4-million-settlement-idUSKCN1TE2JO

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. Avenatti has shown himself to be a grifter of Trumpian proportions

along with Trumpian narcissism. I hope he has enough money left to at least partially compensate the clients he's screwed over, because he's not going to be earning any more where he's going. According to the article at the link, "if convicted on all charges, Avenatti could face more than 400 years in prison, but would likely face a lesser punishment." A lesser punishment than 400 years is still probably going to be pretty stiff.

[True Dough]

2. If he winds up in jail until his dying day

I can't say I'll feel sorry for him. He's done some awful things to some vulnerable people.

[hlthe2b]

3. That is one sudden, complete, and fully nauseating downfall...

sigh...

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

4. It was obvious that he was a grifter within a few weeks of his first appearance on TV.

He was doing things no ethical lawyer would have done. But the sheer extent of it is pretty amazing.

[jberryhill]

5. Avenatti 2020

Here’s the DU link to donate to his PAC, which is in debt and never supported a candidate after making payments to himself, some friends, and a lot of restaurants and airlines.

Give generously, schmucks:

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100211255141

And remember, anyone who criticizes Avenatti is a right wing Trump troll.

[Yonnie3]

6. I am pleased to find this ....

You have attempted to make a contribution to a fundraising page that has no active recipients: either the page's owner has removed all committees or organizations from the page, or we have concluded processing contributions for these committees or organizations.

when following the donate link on the Fight PAC webpage.

[Dr. Strange]

7. Screw that.

If he wants my money, he's going to have to con me out of it.

[jberryhill]

9. LOL

[Hoyt]

8. At least we found out what he's like prior to his launching a Prez bid.

Early doubters were bashed for not jumping on his scam.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

10. It should have been screamingly obvious when the judge in SDNY

told him he'd have to stop going on TV if he wanted to intervene in the Michael Cohen case and he chose to keep doing TV appearances rather than represent the interests of his client, which he claimed was the reason he wanted to intervene. He was getting kinda smelly even before that, but this was a flashing red light.