Newport Beach Lawyer Michael Avenatti Gets 14 Years In Prison

SANTA ANA, CA — Celebrity lawyer Michael John Avenatti was sentenced Monday to 14 years in prison for stealing millions of dollars from his clients and for obstructing the IRS’s efforts to collect more than $3 million in payroll taxes from an Avenatti-owned coffee business, according to the United States Department of Justice.

The 51-year-old former Newport Beach resident will serve the 14-year term consecutive to his previously-imposed sentences in New York, totaling 19 years in prison for Avenatti, the department said in a news release.

Avenatti was sentenced by United States District Judge James V. Selna, who, according to the Department of Justice, said Avenatti “has done great evil for which he must answer.”

Judge Selna also ordered Avenatti to pay $10,810,709 in restitution to four clients and to the IRS, the United States Department of Justice said.

“Michael Avenatti was a corrupt lawyer who claimed he was fighting for the little guy. In fact, he only cared about his own selfish interests,” United States Attorney Martin Estrada said, according to the release. “He stole millions of dollars from his clients – all to finance his extravagant lifestyle that included a private jet and race cars. 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.”