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Former CNN contributor and Brian Stelter presidential hopeful, Michael Avenatti will be using the services of an idiot to represent him in court against pornography performer Stormy Daniels. In other words, Avenatti will be representing himself at his latest of several criminal trials.
By being his own lawyer, this allows him to set the stage to directly confront Daniels over her allegation that he stole some of the money she was owed for her steamy autobiography.
U.S. District Judge Jesse M. Furman granted Avenatti’s request at his Manhattan trial on wire fraud and aggravated identity theft charges after he cited a “breakdown” with his former lawyers over trial strategy, especially on how he wanted them to question a former longtime office worker of his who was testifying at the trial on video.
Stormy Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, was expected to take the witness stand at the trial as early as Wednesday, if she isn't tied up.
It is not known whether Avenatti plans to use Brian Stelter as a character witness or anyone else at the Comedy News Network, but they are prepared to stand behind him if he calls on them, it is believed.
Avenatti, 50, has angrily asserted his innocence on the claims that he pocketed nearly $300,000 of the $800,000 advance paid to Daniels for her 2018 book “Full Disclosure.” He posits that his pockets are too small and in no way able to hold that much cash, and just because another person who happens to be a paraplegic made similar allegations about money he was owed, that is not proof he did anything wrong this time.
Although Judge Furman told Avenatti earlier that his right to represent himself was “sharply curtailed” once his trial began, the judge granted his request after the shyster insisted he wanted to act as his own lawyer, as he did at a trial in California for six weeks last year.
At that federal trial, Avenatti represented himself against criminal charges that he cheated clients of millions of dollars, and the proceedings ended in a mistrial. Hopefully a new trial will end in justice being served.
Although Judge Furman told Avenatti earlier that his right to represent himself was “sharply curtailed” once his trial began, the judge granted his request after the shyster insisted he wanted to act as his own lawyer, as he did at a trial in California for six weeks last year.
At that federal trial, Avenatti represented himself against criminal charges that he cheated clients of millions of dollars, and the proceedings ended in a mistrial. Hopefully a new trial will end in justice being served.
In early 2020, Avenatti was convicted of attempting to extort up to $25 million from sportswear giant Nike. He threatened to destroy the company's reputation if it didn't do exactly as he said. He was sentenced to 2.5 years in prison. Fortunately, he did not testify and was represented by good lawyers, for if he had represented himself and also testified, he might be serving five times the sentence he received.
Avenatti became a national hero to CNN in 2018 when he represented the porn performer in lawsuits against then-President Donald Trump. Daniels received $130,000 just before the 2016 presidential election to remain silent about her claim that she and Trump had a sexual tryst ten years prior. Trump denied that claim, using the "horse face" defense and stating that he would have never considered having sex with Daniels because, hey, look at who he is married to.
In opening statements Monday, Andrew Dalack, Avenatti's lawyer, said that Avenatti and Daniels had an agreement to share the proceeds of any book deal. Whether that is true or not, no contract was produced in court, and Avenatti, who believes he's a good lawyer, would have insisted Daniels sign one if this assertion was true, one would think.
Dalack stated that Avenatti loaned Daniels hundreds of thousands of dollars while he represented her. Was this in writing? If not, why not?
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A prosecution witness, Judy Regnier, testified Tuesday that she did not believe Avenatti had sent any of his law firm’s money to Daniels between July 2018 and February 2019 because the firm was financially hurting.
Regnier, who worked as a paralegal and office manager for Avenatti for about 11 years, said the firm’s finances were in bad shape during that span.
“I was checking bank accounts to see if there were enough funds to make it through the week, or the day,” she said.
Meanwhile, Avenatti's cellmate was unavailable for comment, as was Brian Stelter.
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