Judge Sentences , Michael Avenatti to 14 Years , in Prison For Fraud Scheme.
On December 5, Michael Avenatti was sentenced to 14 years in prison after pleading guilty to four counts of wire fraud and a tax-related charge.
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NBC reports that Avenatti was also ordered to pay $7 million in restitution.
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The incarcerated lawyer's sentence will run consecutively with the five-year prison term he is already serving for separate convictions in New York.
Avenatti pleaded guilty without reaching a plea deal, claiming he wished to be held accountable and spare his family further embarrassment.
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Avenatti was accused of negotiating and collecting settlement payments intended for his clients and funneling the money into accounts that he controlled.
I am deeply remorseful and contrite.
There is no doubt that all of them deserve much better, and I hope that someday they will accept my apologies and find it in their heart to forgive me, Michael Avenatti, Statement prior to sentencing, via NBC.
I am deeply remorseful and contrite.
There is no doubt that all of them deserve much better, and I hope that someday they will accept my apologies and find it in their heart to forgive me, Michael Avenatti, Statement prior to sentencing, via NBC.
NBC reports that the federal government dropped all remaining charges against Avenatti that stemmed from a 36-count indictment.
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Avenatti is already serving time after being convicted of stealing book proceeds from porn star Stormy Daniels and trying to extort shoemaker Nike.
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Avenatti is already serving time after being convicted of stealing book proceeds from porn star Stormy Daniels and trying to extort shoemaker Nike.
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Prosecutors in the most recent case sought for Avenatti's sentence to add 17.5 years in prison to the five year sentence he is already serving.
In pleading guilty, Avenatti asked the court that his sentence be no more than six years and would be served concurrently with his other sentence.
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In pleading guilty, Avenatti asked the court that his sentence be no more than six years and would be served concurrently with his other sentence.
