Michael Avenatti’s California trial delayed but he signs up a lawyer for his defense
SANTA ANA – High-profile attorney Michael Avenatti locked-down his legal representation on Wednesday against federal fraud and embezzlement charges, but a judge acknowledged that a jury trial in the closely watched case is still a ways off.
The Orange County trial of Avenatti – who came to fame representing porn star Stormy Daniels in her legal battles against President Donald Trump, and who at one-time held presidential ambitions – will be delayed at least two to three months and likely longer, U.S. District Judge V. Selna said.
“This case will proceed promptly but on a reasonable basis,” Selna told the audience in his Santa Ana courtroom.
Avenatti faces a pair of legal battles. In Southern California, he is accused of embezzling a $1.6 million settlement from a client’s trust fund and providing false tax records to obtain a $4.1 million business loan from a bank. In New York, he is accused of trying to shake down Nike for millions of dollars.
Avenatti has repeatedly denied the charges.
In recent weeks, the federal public defenders’ office had unsuccessfully attempted to persuade Selna to allow it to represent Avenatti, arguing in court filings that he was willing to pay whatever the court decides he should for his defense.
During his court appearance on Wednesday, however, Avenatti announced that he had retained H. Dean Steward, a veteran defense attorney, as his legal counsel.
Federal prosecutors told Selna that they are ready to turn over the first wave of evidence to Steward, which they estimated includes more than 100,000 pages, much of it bank records. Prosecutors said they are still reviewing potential evidence seized from Avenatti and his offices.
After Wednesday’s hearing, Steward declined to comment on the government’s allegations against Avenatti, noting he had only taken on the case hours before. Avenatti said he does not yet know if Steward, who is based in Orange County, will also represent him in New York.
Talking to a large group of reporters in an elevator as he was leaving the courthouse, Avenatti said he was “looking forward to the proceedings playing out; I’m looking forward to trial in both cases.”
Avenatti also took the opportunity to get in a jab at one of the son’s of his high-profile nemesis.
“We will see who goes to trial first, me or Don (Trump) Jr.,” Avenatti said.
The lawyer might have the inside track.
On Tuesday, the Senate Intelligence Committee reached agreement with Donald Trump Jr. for him to privately discuss facts surrounding the Russia investigation. That has calmed talk about the president’s son getting a subpoena to appear, a matter than could have ended up in a courtroom.