Former attorney Michael Avenatti will now serve a 14-year prison sentence and pay nearly $11 million in restitution for embezzling millions of dollars from clients.
Avenatti pled guilty to four counts of wire fraud for each client he stole from. He also pleads guilty to one charge of endeavoring to obstruct the administration of the Internal Revenue Code.
Prosecutors say the sentence is well-deserved and serves as an example for any other attorney planning to prey on the “little guy.”
Avenatti collected a $4 million settlement from Los Angeles County for a man who became paralyzed after being in police custody. Avenatii used an enormous amount of money for his coffee business. He stole parts of a $3 million settlement from another client, then later bought a private jet. He also stole money from two other clients.
The former lawyer was already serving a five-year sentence for stealing money for a book deal from his former client, adult film star Stormy Daniels. He rose to fame after representing Daniels when she claimed to have had an affair with former President Donald Trump. According to the Associated Press, Avenatii will have to finish his 5-year sentence in the Stormy Daniels case before serving the 14-year sentence.
He addressed his victims in court Monday and apologized. His downfall after deciding to prey on people in desperate need of help serves as an example of how dishonest business dealings can later blow up in your face. His attorneys say Monday’s sentencing was “overly harsh and uncalled for.” What do you think?
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