Attorney Avenatti, porn star part ways

WASHINGTON — Michael Avenatti, who became famous as the lawyer for Stormy Daniels, said Tuesday that he no longer represents the porn actress who alleged she had an affair with President Donald Trump.

In the past year, the duo rose to become household names in their fight against Trump, dominating cable news shows for months and taunting the president in interviews. As conservative pundits hit back, Avenatti became Daniels’ top protector and promoter, defending her life choices and job as a porn star, calling out hypocrisy against her and painting her as an American hero.

Avenatti said Tuesday that he told Daniels last month that he was terminating their agreement. He said he had made the decision after lengthy discussions. He would not provide details.

Daniels, in her own post, said she’s hired another attorney, Clark Brewster, who will “review all legal matters” that she’s been involved in. Brewster did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment.

Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, alleged she had sex with a married Trump in 2006, an accusation the president has denied. She was paid $130,000 in a hush-money deal days before the 2016 presidential election to keep her from going public with her story about the alleged affair in a deal handled by Trump’s then-fixer Michael Cohen, who has since pleaded guilty to criminal charges for buying her silence.

AP/JOHN MINCHILLO People in Madeira, Ohio, are escorted Tuesday from the site of a small plane crash that killed the pilot and damaged a house.