Michael Avenatti found guilty on all counts in Nike extortion trial


Michael Avenatti is having a different kind of 2020 than he once teased.
Avenatti, who represented porn star Stormy Daniels in her case against President Trump and once mulled a 2020 presidential run, has been found guilty of trying to extort Nike, CNBC reports. A jury on Friday convicted Avenatti on all three counts: attempted extortion, honest-services fraud, and the transmission of interstate communications with the intent to extort, per Axios.
Prosecutors in March 2019 announced Avenatti had been charged after he allegedly demanded Nike pay him up to $25 million or he would hold a press conference revealing damaging information about the company. During the trial, prosecutors played a tape of Avenatti speaking to Nike representatives and threatening to "blow the lid," with Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Podolsky saying, "This is what extortion sounds like," NBC News reports. Avenatti pleaded not guilty, and his lawyers said he was acting "in good faith" on behalf of the youth basketball coach he was representing.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
This isn't the end of the road for Avenatti, as CNN notes he's also facing two other trials for allegedly stealing Daniels' book advance as well as, in California, allegedly defrauding several clients out of millions of dollars. According to NBC News, both of those cases are set to go to trial this spring.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
Dark chocolate macadamia cookies recipe
The Week Recommends These one-bowl cookies will melt in your mouth
-
Israel's plan to occupy Gaza
In Depth Operation Gideon's Chariots will see Israel sending thousands of troops into Gaza later this month to seize control of the strip
-
Prince Harry's 'bombshell' BBC interview
Talking Point Royal claims he is not safe to visit the UK and fuels speculation over King Charles' health in 'extraordinary' BBC interview
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
-
Los Angeles city workers stage 1-day walkout over labor conditions
Speed Read
-
Mega Millions jackpot climbs to an estimated $1.55 billion
Speed Read
-
Bangladesh dealing with worst dengue fever outbreak on record
Speed Read
-
Glacial outburst flooding in Juneau destroys homes
Speed Read
-
Scotland seeking 'monster hunters' to search for fabled Loch Ness creature
Speed Read