Politics & Government

Celebrity Attorney Michael Avenatti Found Guilty In Nike Case

Los Angeles native and Newport Beach high profile attorney Michael Avenatti was found guilty of an extortion plot related to Nike, Friday.

Michael Avenatti, attorney for Stormy Daniels, speaks to reporters as he exits the United States District Court Southern District of New York for a hearing related to Michael Cohen, President Trump's longtime personal attorney and confidante.
Michael Avenatti, attorney for Stormy Daniels, speaks to reporters as he exits the United States District Court Southern District of New York for a hearing related to Michael Cohen, President Trump's longtime personal attorney and confidante. ((Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images))

NEWPORT BEACH, CA — A federal court jury in New York has convicted Newport Beach attorney Michael Avenatti for attempting to extort Nike out of $25 million, multiple media outlets reported Friday. He faces a maximum of 20 years in prison.

Avenatti, who pleaded not guilty after his March arrest, said he was "pursuing an honest negotiation on behalf of a client," NBC reported. He was arrested in March for the extortion charges.

Avenatti was found guilty on all counts, according to reports from NBC News. The U.S. Attorney's Office in Manhattan confirmed the verdict to NBC and other media outlets.

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The Nike extortion trial was just one of several cases embattled attorney Avenatti is involved in this year.

Other charges against Avenatti include accusations that he "stole hundreds of thousands of dollars" from Stormy Daniels' book royalties, and another where he was accused of using a client's settlement to pay what is owed by Global Barista US LLC, NBC reported.

Find out what's happening in Newport Beach-Corona Del Marfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

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