Stormy Daniels news – Michael Avenatti begins cross-examination of porn star in his own fraud trial
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Stormy Daniels testified today in a Manhattan court against her former lawyer Michael Avenatti, who is alleged to have swindled her out of hundreds of thousands of dollars. Mr Avenatti has said he will question her for “six hours”, but the judge seemed unimpressed by the suggestion.
His cross-examination of Ms Daniels began just ten minutes before the end of Thursday’s proceedings. Mr Avenatti took over representation of himself from his legal team on Tuesday, saying it is “the best chance at winning” the case.
The California lawyer is accused of stealing $300,000 of the money Ms Daniels was owed for her autobiography. He is charged with wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.
Mr Avenatti became well known nationally in 2018 as he represented Ms Daniels in lawsuits against Donald Trump. He was briefly something of a hero for many anti-Trumpers, but come 2020 he began a spectacular fall from grace that saw him sentenced to jail for trying to extort Nike out of millions of dollars.
Trial adjourns for the day
Judge Furman dismisses the jury noting that he is keeping an eye on Storm Kenan which is heading towards the New York area.
“I am monitoring the weather forecast, it will probably be ok for everyone to get home tomorrow. See you tomorrow morning.”
Avenatti prosecutors try to block ‘irrelevant’ questions about Trump case
Michael Avenatti intends to quiz Stormy Daniels about her lawsuit against former president Donald Trump in a bid to confuse the jury in his own fraud case, prosecutors have claimed.
Bevan Hurley reports.
Avenatti prosecutors try to block ‘irrelevant’ Stormy Daniels questions about Trump
Prosecutors are seeking to block Avenatti from creating a ‘distracting sideshow’ when he cross-examines former client Stormy Daniels
Avenatti knocks ex-Trump lawyer Cohen with crude remark
Michael Cohen, the former personal lawyer to Donald Trump who admitted to paying adult film actress Stormy Daniels $130,000 to cover up her affair with the former president, attended the start of the trial of Ms Daniels’s own ex-lawyer, Michael Avenatti on Monday.
Mr Avenatti stands accused of defrauding Ms Daniels out of a book advance totalling some $300,000. His former client is expected to testify against him; he has insisted he is innocent of the alleged crimes, which include wire fraud and identity theft.
Andrew Naughtie reports.
Avenatti knocks Michael Cohen with crude remark at his own fraud trial
Cohen, who has admitted sending ‘hush money’ to Stormy Daniels, turned on his former boss in time to provide evidence in his first impeachment trial
Stormy Daniels and Avenatti: Once allies, now adversaries
Stormy Daniels the porn star who catapulted herself and Michael Avenatti to fame with lawsuits against former President Donald Trump now has a starring role in court against her one-time ally.
Once allies, Stormy Daniels and Avenatti face off at trial
The porn star who catapulted Michael Avenatti to fame four years ago will get a starring role in a New York courtroom when prosecutors try to prove the California lawyer cheated her of $300,000 in book proceeds
ICYMI: Avenatti representing himself
Michael Avenatti is cross-examining Stormy Daniels at his own trial after ditching his legal team.
Mr Avenatti, who represented Ms Daniels when she sued former President Donald Trump, dismissed his public defenders in court on Tuesday.
He is now representing himself against the charges that he pocketed cash meant for Ms Daniels.
Gustaf Kilander reports.
Avenatti to cross-examine Stormy Daniels at his own trial after ditching legal team
‘There has been a breakdown in the relationship between me and my counsel that speaks to the heart of my ability to mount a defense’
Today in court in quotes
“At any point, did you and the defendant ever agree that the defendant would get any portion of a book or media opportunity?” Assistant US Attorney Robert Benjamin Sobelman asked Ms Daniels.
“No.” she replied.
——
On Valentine’s Day 2019, she texted Mr Avenatti: “Now. Find my f***ing money.”
“Word!!!!!” Mr Avenatti replied.
——
“I don’t know if there’s a word stronger than furious, but that would be it — and shock,” said Ms Daniels when asked to describe how she felt after discovering Mr Avenatti’s alleged theft.
“He lied to me every day for almost five months.”
That’s all from our live coverage of the Michael Avenatti trial for today.
Do join us tomorrow for all the latest from court and stay tuned to The Independent for breaking news and analysis from across the world.
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