After shocking NY arrest, Avenatti faces court in California
SANTA ANA, Calif. — A week after Michael Avenatti’s shocking arrest in New York, the attorney famous for representing porn star Stormy Daniels in legal battles against President Donald Trump will be back in federal court Monday to face fraud charges in California.
The brash lawyer faces a hearing in the Orange County city of Santa Ana on charges he fraudulently obtained $4 million in bank loans and pocketed $1.6 million that belonged to a client. Avenatti has long faced allegations from a former client and a former partner that he was hiding money to avoid paying what he owed.
Now, federal authorities are adding their voices to that chorus, with the spectre of a long prison sentence that could be the downfall of a man who once considered challenging Trump in his re-election bid.