(Photo Source: AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File)

Michael Avenatti Blames Legal Issues On Others

Michael Avenatti, who represented adult actress Stormy Daniels in her lawsuit against President Trump, faced his own legal woes when he was arrested for allegedly trying to extort Nike and stealing millions from clients. But Avenatti says he’s trying to clean up the messes and says he’s still not ruling out a presidential run.

In a recent court filing, Avenatti blamed his legal troubles on “vindictive” prosecutors. He said he only landed in hot water because he was a vocal critic of President Trump.

“While the FBI was conducting its criminal investigation into the illegal payment to Daniels, Mr. Avenatti was President Trump’s chief antagonist in the civil arena and in the court of public opinion,” Avenatti’s court filing says. “If Mr. Avenatti were attorney Doe – or Mr. Geragos, for that matter – he would not have been arrested or charged…That [Judge] Berman did not see fit to likewise recuse himself from Mr. Avenatti’s case but, instead, has taken a very active role in it, is circumstantial evidence that he may be considered a ‘stalking horse’ for President Trump.”

At the time of the arrest, Avenatti has proclaimed himself innocent of any wrongdoing and said the truth would be exposed eventually.