Attorney Michael Avenatti has been convicted on all three counts he was facing in his Manhattan trial involving his attempted extortion of Nike. The New York Post opens with the perfect line:
The jury just did it.
Disgraced lawyer Michael Avenatti was convicted in Manhattan court on all counts Friday for attempting to shake down Nike for as much as $25 million over claims it illegally funneled payments to college basketball players.
He now faces up to more than 40 years behind bars when sentenced June 17.
Avenatti half-smiled and flexed his hands behind his back as he stared straight ahead when he heard the verdict in federal court.
I bet his hands weren’t the only muscles flexing when he heard the verdict. NBC says the statutory maximum is 20 years but whatever the case he’s not likely to get off with probation. Also, his law license is probably history.
Avenatti’s legal team came out of the courthouse after the verdict and said her client was “in a bit of a state of shock” but added that he would continue fighting. But before he can fight this verdict, Avenatti has two more trials to worry about, one in New York for allegedly taking $300,000 of Stormy Daniels’ money and one in California for similar fraud. Those trials are coming up in a few months.
One thing I find interesting is that CNN’s story on Avenatti’s conviction says nothing about how this creep became a household name in the first place. Same for NBC’s story. You have to click over to Fox News for that reminder:
Avenatti became prominent during frequent cable television program appearances in 2018 and 2019 as journalists courted him for information about porn star Stormy Daniels. She made claims about a Trump tryst before he became president and a payoff to remain silent about it.
At the peak of his notoriety, Avenatti even considered running for president.
That’s actually pretty tame. Remember how in love CNN was with this guy?
People are missing the best thing about the April Ryan party pic with Avenatti. She tags CNN. pic.twitter.com/3IzEvxGNTa
— Stephen Miller (@redsteeze) February 14, 2020
It wasn’t just on air it was behind the scenes too?
Don Lemon and Michael Avenatti partying it up ???? https://t.co/EY7yGQEF2B via @amber_athey @DailyCaller pic.twitter.com/QpHNRGAE8I
— Peter J. Hasson (@peterjhasson) May 17, 2018
Now that he’s been convicted, CNN has no recall of any of that it seems. Here’s the after-verdict statement by Avenatti’s lawyers:
Finally, here’s a reminder from the Free Beacon that the left and the media (but I repeat myself) made this guy a major star.
Womp Womppic.twitter.com/qrQeBFH3ZI
— Free Beacon (@FreeBeacon) February 14, 2020
