The lawyer representing adult film star Stormy Daniels in her ongoing legal dispute with President Donald Trump has been arrested over claims of domestic violence.
Celebrity news website TMZ broke the news that Michael Avenatti had been taken into custody on Wednesday following a physical confrontation with a woman. According to the BBC, he was later released on $50,000 (£38,500) bail.
A Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) spokesperson said the alleged victim had visible injuries. No further details were provided about the alleged victim or their relationship to Avenatti.
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The high-profile lawyer has dimissed the allegation as “completely bogus”.
“I wish to thank the hard working men and woman of the LAPD for their professionalism and their work today. They had no option in light of the allegations,” Avenatti continued in a statement released by his law firm. “I am looking forward to a full investigation, at which point I am confident that I will be fully exonerated.”
The claim is “fabricated and meant to do harm to my reputation”, added Avenatti, who recently said he was contemplating a 2020 presidential run.
The 47-year-old has become a household name as the lawyer of porn actress and director Stormy Daniels, who alleges that she was paid $130,000 (£100,000) in hush money following a brief affair with Trump - claims the president strongly denies.
Avenatti has “pursued the president and those close to him relentlessly for months, taunting Trump in interviews and baiting him and his lawyers in tweets”, says The Guardian.
His past clients have also included Julie Swetnick, one of the women who accused Brett Kavanaugh of aggressive sexual behaviour prior to his confirmation to the US Supreme Court.
