Avenatti Convicted Of Stealing Stormy Daniels’ Book Proceeds, Faces 22 Years Jail

Update (1500ET): After seemingly stuck in deadlock, the jury in the case of Michael Avenatti vs Stormy Daniels has reached a verdict and found the ‘lawyer’ guilty of stealing almost $300,000 in book-advance proceeds from the ‘former’ porn star.

The now twice-convicted felon now faces a maximum of 22 years in prison for his conviction on wire fraud and aggravated identity theft charges.

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As we detailed earlier, the jury in former left-wing posterboy-turned felon Michael Avenatti’s criminal trial is deadlocked.

On Thursday this week it was reported that a jury wasn’t able to immediately decide whether or not Avenatti defrauded his client, porn star Stormy Daniels. Avenatti represented Daniels during a period in which she “blew the whistle” and sued President Donald Trump. 

After just four hours of deliberations, the jury concluded that it wouldn’t be able to agree on Avenatti’s innocence or guilt, Reuters reported this week. 

U.S. District Judge Jesse Furman told the jurors to continue deliberating the charge against Avenatti, whether or not he is guilty of embezzling nearly $300,000 of Daniels’ book advance. 

A conviction of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft could see Avenatti face up to 20 years in prison. Avenatti is representing himself in the case and has pleaded not guilty to both counts. He called the money in question a “disagreement over legal fees that has no place in court,” according to the report. 

He has argued that he had a “good faith” belief that his contract entitled him to money from Daniels’ book. Jurors requested a definition of “good faith” from the judge this week. 

Avenatti should be acquitted if he had an “honest belief that he was entitled to take money or property,” the judge told the jury.