Michael Avenatti Embezzlement Case Ends in Mistrial

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Source: The Wall Street Journal.

U.S.

Michael Avenatti Embezzlement Case Ends in Mistrial

Avenatti became nationally known for representing former adult-film actress Stormy Daniels in litigation against Donald Trump

By Deanna Paul
https://twitter.com/thedeannapaul
[e-mail]
Aug. 24, 2021 5:53 pm ET

A judge declared a mistrial in the trial of Michael Avenatti on charges that he stole millions of dollars in client funds.

U.S. District Judge James V. Selna ruled in his Santa Ana, Calif. courtroom on Tuesday that prosecutors failed to turn over financial evidence, in violation of their discovery obligations.

The evidence involved financial data from a software used by Mr. Avenatti’s firm. Prosecutors first turned it over to him on Monday, a month into the trial, according to Mr. Avenatti, who pleaded not guilty on ten charges of wire fraud and was representing himself.

“The government was on notice of the importance of this information early on in its investigation and yet did nothing to locate it and produce it,” he said in court filings.

A spokesman for the U.S. attorney’s office confirmed the mistrial and declined to answer further questions, including whether prosecutors would seek to retry him.

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Read more: https://www.wsj.com/articles/michael-avenatti-embezzlement-case-ends-in-mistrial-11629841989

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There's a thread in GD.

O.C. judge declares mistrial in Michael Avenatti embezzlement trial

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100215777694

[Hugh_Lebowski]

1. Presumably this is a different case from the one he already lost a few months back?

IIRC, that was attempted extortion against Sony.

[Ocelot II]

2. Yes, that was in NY, got him a 2-year sentence.

[Tiger8]

3. I like Avenatti

He's a rule breaker with the ability to devise all sorts of "dirty tricks" that hurt the Republicans.

Hopefully, some left wing dark money backer sees his potential.

[Jetheels]

4. I liked Avenatti too, him and Cuomo we're so vocal

calling out and standing up to tfg’s lies and crimes. I kind of wonder if that’s why they became the ones taken down.
But really, how did someone like Avenatti who seemed intelligent think he would get away with all those crimes, especially when he put himself in the spotlight.
I doubt he has much of a future.

[Tiger8]

9. Our worst is better than the best GOPers.

Instead of attacking our own - maybe step back and see whatever mistakes, it's still a nothing burger compared to Republicans.

"Michael Avenatti is bad, you say? Well, what about his Italian-American counterpart, Rudolph Guilliani - who took millions from hostile countries to undermine the USA."

"Governor Cuomo is bad, you say? Well, what about DeSantis...who took millions from Regeneron's Ken Griffin to make Florida #1 in COVID cases, while Cuomo did everything to save lives."

[MichMan]

5. Stole millions from a disabled client

Great guy

Perhaps he is presidential material

[reACTIONary]

6. +10 nt

[Tiger8]

8. ....which makes him the perfect dirty trickster

The Right Wing has many Avenatti style characters operating behind the scenes to undermine democrats.

For every Roger Stone or "Project Veritas" you see, there are many more you don't, especially ones who infiltrate Democratic party politics.

You see their handiwork all the time, especially with wedge issues. I'm willing to bet the term "Defund the Police" started like this. "Open borders" is another one. It puts us in a no win situation. Democrat candidates who oppose it are deemed "Corporate Democrats" but if they're less then firm in their opposition, that's used to scaremonger in the general election.

[multigraincracker]

7. I'm happy to see a judge enforce

discovery rules.

[Marthe48]

10. I still wonder if it was a set-up?

I think of how Mr. Avenatti was a giant voice against traitor and supported at least one of the women victimized by traitor, and then financial crimes came up and brought him down.

Then I think of all of the r's willingly carrying water for traitor and have to wonder if this is the kind of payback they are afraid of? traitor might not be able to carry it off, but I bet he has plenty of henchmen willing and able.

Yes, I know--conspiracy theories. But random dots connect, sometimes on their own.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

11. I don't. NT