Stormy lawyer’s fury after he is held over domestic violence
PORN actress Stormy Daniels’s outspoken lawyer protested his innocence today after being arrested on suspicion of domestic violence.
Michael Avenatti, who has represented Daniels in her lawsuit against President Donald Trump, called the allegations “completely bogus” and insisted: “I have never struck a woman.”
According to celebrity website TMZ, the woman victim’s face was left “swollen and bruised” with “red marks” on both cheeks following a confrontation.
After being released on £38,500 bail in Los Angeles, Mr Avenatti said: “I have always been an advocate of women’s rights and equality and I always will be. I will not be intimidated into stopping my pursuit of justice and what is right.”
The lawyer is a fierce critic of the president and has publicly flirted with the idea of running against him as a Democratic presidential candidate in 2020. Mr Avenatti represents Ms Daniels, who claims she had an extramarital fling with Mr Trump, an allegation he denies.
Los Angeles Police said a domestic violence report was taken in West Los Angeles on Tuesday night and Mr Avenatti was arrested yesterday. “We can confirm that today LAPD detectives arrested Michael Avenatti on suspicion of domestic violence. This is an ongoing investigation and we will provide more details as they become available,” said a police tweet.
In a post following his release, Mr Avenatti said: “I did not strike any woman nor have I ever. I did not strike my ex-wife in the face nor did I hit anyone else in the face. I am a decent man & I look forward to being exonerated.” TMZ claimed the alleged incident happened after Mr Avenatti “kicked her out of the apartment”. The alleged abuse victim has not been named, but Mr Avenatti’s second wife, Lisa-Storie, strongly denied she was involved.
“I haven’t see Michael in months... It’s all a lie,” she told CNN. “Bruises on my face? It is insanity. He wouldn’t hit anybody. Especially a woman. He’s got two daughters.” First wife Christine Avenatti Carlin also issued a statement saying: “He has NEVER been abusive to me or anyone else. He is a good man.”