Michael Avenatti, lawyer for Stormy Daniels, was arrested by LAPD Wednesday on domestic violence charges, police announced.
“We can confirm that today LAPD Detectives arrested Michael Avenatti on suspicion of domestic violence,” the LAPD tweeted. “This is an ongoing investigation and we will provide more details as they become available.”
We can confirm that today LAPD Detectives arrested Michael Avenatti on suspicion of domestic violence. This is an ongoing investigation and we will provide more details as they become available.
— LAPD HQ (@LAPDHQ) November 15, 2018
Update: We can confirm that Michael Avenatti (DOB: 02-16-71) was booked this afternoon on a felony domestic violence charge (273.5 PC). His bail is set at $50,000.
— LAPD HQ (@LAPDHQ) November 15, 2018
Avenatti was arrested just after 2 p.m. Wednesday and booked into jail on a felony charge of “domestic violence with visible injury” about two hours later, the police said. Avenatti was released from jail about 5:30 p.m. local time after posting $50,000 bail.
He is due in court on Dec. 5.
California Penal Code Section 273.5(a) PC makes it illegal to injure a spouse, cohabitant or fellow parent in an act of domestic violence. This offense is also referred to as domestic abuse, domestic violence, or corporal injury to a spouse.
If found guilty of the crime of inflicting corporal injury to a spouse or cohabitant as a felony under PC 273.5(a) the defendant may face up to four years in prison.
LAPD confirmed that the charges arose from an incident that happened on Tuesday, prompting authorities to respond and take a report, law enforcement told The Associated Press.
Michael Avenatti released a statement through his law office denying the allegations.
“I wish to thank the hard working men and women of the LAPD for their professionalism they were only doing their jobs in light of the completely bogus allegations against me,” the statement said. “I have never been physically abusive in my life nor was I last night. Any accusations to the contrary are fabricated and meant to do harm to my reputation. I look forward to being fully exonerated.”
Avenatti later again denied the accusations and thanked the LAPD, who he said “had no option in light of the allegations.”
The ‘creepy porn lawyer’ said that “I have never struck a woman. I never will strike a woman. I have been an advocate for women’s rights my entire career and I’m going to continue to be an advocate. I am not going to be intimidated from stopping what I am doing,” he continued. “I am a father to two beautiful, smart daughters. I would never disrespect them by touching a woman inappropriately or striking a woman. I am looking forward to a full investigation at which point I am confident I will be fully exonerated. I also want to thank everyone for their support that has reached out. You know my character. You know me as a man and I appreciate it.”
The lawyer for Stormy Daniels was formally charged with felony domestic violence and his bail was set at $50,000, LAPD Officer Rosario Herrera said.
TMZ, which first broke the news of the arrest, said that Avenatti “kicked” a woman “out of the apartment.” The outlet initially reported that the alleged incident involved Avenatti’s estranged wife, before later describing the individual simply as a woman.
VIA TMZ:
We were initially told by our sources the alleged victim was Avenatti’s estranged wife. We now know it was not. The incident involved a different woman.
We’re told Wednesday afternoon the woman was on the sidewalk on her cellphone with sunglasses covering her eyes, sobbing and screaming on the phone, “I can’t believe you did this to me. I’m going to get a restraining order against you.”
We’re told security brought her inside the building, took her upstairs and Michael showed up 5 minutes later and ran into the building. He screamed repeatedly, “She hit me first.” We’re told he angrily added, “This is bulls***, this is f***ing bulls***.” We’re told he tried getting into the elevator but security denied him access.
Cops showed up and escorted Avenatti into a corner of the apartment lobby and spoke with him for 5 to 10 minutes and then took him into custody.
On Wednesday, upcoming appearances by Avenatti were called off, including two in Vermont sponsored by the state’s Democratic Party. Tickets ranging from $50 to $100 for town-hall-style talks by Avenatti that were due to take place this weekend will be refunded. “The events were canceled immediately upon hearing the news,” said R. Christopher Di Mezzo, communications director for the Vermont Democratic Party.
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