Porn star’s lawyer charged with defrauding her in Trump case

MICHAEL AVENATTI, the celebrity lawyer, has been charged with defrauding porn star Stormy Daniels, whom he represented in her legal battle with Donald Trump.

The 48-year-old was yesterday charged with doctoring a document to divert about $300,000 (£236,800) that Ms Daniels was supposed to get from a book deal, to fund personal and business expenses.

Only half of that money was paid back, prosecutors in New York said.

Mr Avenatti represented Ms Daniels when she sued to be released from a non-disclosure agreement barring her from discussing an alleged affair with Mr Trump.

Meanwhile in Los Angeles, he is facing multiple charges alleging that he stole millions of dollars from clients, did not pay taxes, committed bank fraud and lied during bankruptcy proceedings.

Mr Avenatti has denied the allegations against him on both coasts, saying he expects to be exonerated.

Ms Daniels initially hired Mr Avenatti to handle a lawsuit she filed last year in which she sought to invalidate the non-disclosure agreement she had signed with Mr Trump’s then-lawyer Michael Cohen in exchange for $130,000.

The money was supposed to buy her silence about an alleged 2006 affair with the president, who denies that it took place.

In August, Cohen pleaded guilty to violating campaign finance laws in connection with the payment.

Ms Daniels also said Mr Avenatti had filed a defamation lawsuit against Mr Trump, on her behalf, against her wishes. That backfired, and Ms Daniels had to pay the president’s legal bills.”