If the Democrats were still in power, it would result in a demand for a Special Counsel and hearings. Today’s stunt reminded me of Jon Lovitz… I’M AN ACTORRRR!
In any case, Dems will wring this towel for all it’s worth. Dems and their bootlicking media love acting and actors and lawyers who act for the press. Not long ago, Dems loved Michael Avenatti. He was on a short list for the presidency.
CNN’s Brian Stelter last year on Michael Avenatti running for president: “And looking ahead to 2020, one reason I’m taking you seriously as a contender is because of your presence on cable news.” pic.twitter.com/2Wn2bX17kx
— Ryan Saavedra (@RealSaavedra) May 22, 2019
That was, until he got caught stealing clients’ money. He didn’t steal a little, he fleeced a lot. But Dems loved his acting. He was far more convincing than Padilla. 5 years ago, Avenatti was the Democrats’ star theater kid. Then, the spotlight faded, and he went to prison.
It was in February 2020 that a jury found that Avenatti tried to extort Nike by threatening to expose damaging information about his allegation that the footwear and apparel company corruptly paid families of college players. Basically, his message was, “cough up $25 million, or I’ll blow the lid on the story” and ruin Nike’s reputation.
Not only did he not get his payday, but he was found guilty of extortion, wire fraud, and transmission of interstate communications with intent to extort. He was sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison and fined $260,000, and that sentence remains after Wednesday’s ruling.
This isn’t Avenatti’s only brush with the law, however. In February 2022, he was convicted of stealing from his client, Stormy Daniels, who alleged that she had an affair with former President Donald Trump and that he paid her hush money to keep quiet about it:
Avenatti appealed. He claimed that the court made an error in his sentencing. The court of appeals agreed and sent his case back to the trial court for resentencing. On Thursday, the trial court heard from victims and Avenatti and decided that his sentencing was in error. It upped his sentence to 11 years.
One of his victims explained that Avenatti ruined her life.
Avenatti admitted stealing from a $2.75-million settlement Hassan Whiteside, Gardner’s former boyfriend and a pro basketball player then with the Miami Heat, agreed to pay Gardner to avoid a potential lawsuit. Avenatti, who during his crime spree drove a Ferrari, used most of that money to buy a private jet.
Gardner was trembling as she stood before Selna, at times pausing to collect herself, noting that it was tough to “have to stand next to my abuser.”
“Eight years ago, I expected a life changing settlement that would give me security and a chance to build my future,” Gardner said. “Instead, Mr. Avenatti misappropriated my funds, and he dictated my fate without my consent, based on choices that he made.”
Gardner called Avenatti a “legal predator” and said if it weren’t for him, she would be a homeowner, would own a car and would have savings.
“This is someone who looked me in my eyes and told me that they were protecting me,” she said. “I think you should give him the most that you can give him because it protects people who are not equipped to fight these legal battles.”
That victim’s statement apparently swayed the judge. His preliminary sentence was for 10 years. He added another year after hearing from Gardner.
Avenatti won’t get out of federal prison for another 7 years. He owes close to 20 million dollars in restitution – money that victims will never see.
I’d suggest that he’d end up on CNN as a “legal expert” after he’s out, but I’m not confident that CNN will be around in 7 years.
