ANYBODY KNOW A GOOD LAWYER?
Avenatti arrested for ‘assaulting woman’
Michael Avenatti, lawyer for porn star Stormy Daniels, and wannabe Democratic presidential candidate, was arrested yesterday in Los Angeles on s uspi c i on of domestic violence.
Stormy Daniels’ lawyer, Michael Avenatti, was busted in Los Angeles Wednesday after allegedly attacking a woman at an apartment complex and leaving her face “swollen and bruised.”
Avenatti was taken into custody on suspicion of domestic violence in the incident, which took place a day earlier, according to the LAPD.
The victim was not identified, but she is not his estranged wife, Lisa Storie-Avenatti.
Another confrontation occurred Wednesday, TMZ reported. When the LAPD responded to that call, Avenatti could be heard saying, “She hit me first,” and “This is bullsh-t,” according to TMZ.com, which first reported the story.
The alleged victim ran out of the apartment building wearing sunglasses and saying on the phone, “I can’t believe you did this to me,” according to the Web site. “I’m going to get a restraining order against you.”
A source told TMZ the first incident began Tuesday when Avenatti “kicked [the woman] out of the apartment.”
Los Angeles police confirmed Avenatti’s arrest on Wednesday night, but stressed the investigation has not concluded.
“Detectives arrested Michael Avenatti on suspicion of domestic violence,” the LAPD tweeted. “This is an ongoing investigation and we will provide more details as they become available.”
Avenatti called the allegations “completely bogus” while speaking to reporters after being released after posting $50,000 bail.
“I wish to thank the hardworking men and women of the LAPD for their professionalism and their work today. They had no option in light of the allegations,” he said. “I have never struck a woman. I never will strike a woman. I am looking forward to a full investigation, at which point I am confident that I will be fully exonerated.”
Storie-Avenatti released a statement saying that she was not the alleged victim and that she “has never known Michael to be physically violent toward anyone.”
Avenatti became a cable-news fixture after Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, came forward with accusations about an affair with Donald Trump. She said that they had sex in 2006 and that she was paid $130,000 in hush money. Trump has denied having an affair.
Avenatti has been mulling a run for the Democratic nomination for president in 2020.
The response to his arrest was swift, including from politicians who had events scheduled with the ardent Trump critic.
“Totally disgusting. And before anyone asks me, yes, I’m disavowing Avenatti. I do not care what side he’s on. #Basta,” wrote Alyssa Milano, who joined Avenatti in a White House protest in July.
The Vermont Democratic Party told the Burlington Free Press that Avenatti’s appearances in the state this weekend were canceled.