BREAKING NEWS – Los Angeles, California – Michael Avenatti has been found guilty of charges of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft for bilking a former client, adult film star Stormy Daniels, out of nearly $300,000 in book proceeds.
The jury spent about 15 and a half hours deliberating before returning the verdict on Friday afternoon. The wire fraud charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, while the aggravated identity theft charge carries a mandatory term of imprisonment of two years.
“I’m very disappointed,” he said briefly after the verdict was read. “I look forward to a full adjudication of all the issues. Keep in mind, Stormy Daniels was having sex with multiple men on camera. So because of her low moral character, I felt obligated and compelled to steal everything from her, because people like her have corrupted our society. I also believe I was performing a civic duty by relieving her of her funds, because it would financially reduce her ability to continue to cause the moral decline in the country that I love and cherish.”