District Judge Jesse Furman said Avenatti’s conduct was “so blatant and blatant,” adding that he “took advantage of a vulnerable victim given his unorthodox career and somewhat unorthodox beliefs.” .
Avenatti was convicted in February of aggravated fraud and identity theft. He faced up to 20 years on charges of electronic fraud and a mandatory two-year sentence for aggravated identity theft. Avenatti is currently serving a 30-month prison sentence for attempting to extort more than $ 20 million from Nike by threatening to release harmful information unless paid. He will be tried in California next month on charges of embezzling $ 10 million in liquidation funds from at least five clients. He has also been charged with tax fraud and insolvency fraud and pleaded not guilty to charges.
Part of Thursday’s sentence will be served along with Nike’s sentence, but Furman said Avenatti will have to serve two and a half more years after completing Nike’s sentence.
Avenatti was also ordered to pay $ 148,750 to Daniels and $ 297,900 to the United States.
Furman told Avenatti, “I hope you make better use of your great talents.”
The legal upheaval is a dramatic turn for Avenatti, who rose to fame representing Daniels when he made public the allegations that he received a payment of $ 130,000 just before the 2016 presidential election to silence his accusations of a adventure with then-candidate Donald Trump. Trump has denied the affair.
Following the publicity of the silent money scandal, Avenatti helped Daniels sign a $ 800,000 book deal. Prosecutors said Avenatti stole nearly $ 300,000 from the advance by fabricating a letter allegedly from Daniels redirecting the book publisher’s payments to an account under Avenatti’s control.
At trial, Avenatti represented himself and fired his court-appointed lawyers at half-trial. Prosecutors called 10 witnesses, including Daniels, who testified that Avenatti lied to her and betrayed her. Avenatti attacked Daniels’ credibility during interrogation by questioning her about her belief in the paranormal and suggested that she was entitled to take some of the progress of her book for the work she had done even though she was not in it. your written contract. Avenatti did not testify or call any witnesses in his defense.
Last month, Avenatti wrote a letter of apology to Daniels, which he handed to the judge, in which he says, “Obviously I failed you in many ways and I disappointed you and I have disappointed you in many ways.” He added: “I wish we could turn back the clock so that the mistakes I made will never be repeated. I’m so sorry.”
Avenatti was transferred from FCI Terminal Island to California, where he is serving a Nike sentence, to the New York Metropolitan Detention Center for Thursday’s sentencing. He will be transported back to California for trial next month.
This story has been updated with additional details.