Michael Avenatti Charged With Embezzlement, Trying To Extort $20 Million From Nike

Michael Avenatti , the attorney best known for representing porn star Stormy Daniels , was arrested Monday by federal law enforcement officials on charges stemming from two separate cases in Los Angeles and New York.

Federal prosecutors in Los Angeles say Avenatti embezzled a clients money in order to pay his own expenses and debts as well as defrauding a bank by using fake tax returns. He faces two felony counts of wire fraud and bank fraud.

According to a criminal complaint filed by the Central District of California, Avenatti negotiated a $1.6 million settlement on behalf of his client, but gave the client a bogus settlement agreement with a false payment date. He then used the clients settlement money to pay his own expenses, including putting money toward his coffee business, prosecutors say.

Avenatti is also accused of defrauding a bank in Mississippi by submitting false tax returns in 2014 to obtain $4.1 million worth of loans for his law firm and coffee business.

Meanwhile, federal prosecutors in New York say Avenatti attempted to extort $20 million out of Nike by threatening to release damaging information about the company if it did not meet his demands.

Ill go take ten billion dollars off your clients market cap, Avenatti told attorneys for Nike on March 19, according to a complaint filed by the Southern District of New York. Im not fucking around.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Avenattis co-conspirator in the Nike extortion scheme was celebrity lawyer Mark Geragos. Geragos represented Nike endorser Colin Kaepernick in his NFL collusion case and is currently representing actor Jussie Smollett in an alleged hate crime hoax . Geragos has not been charged in this case.

Avenatti did not immediately respond to HuffPosts request for comment.

See the Southern District of New Yorks full complaint below.

Avenatti was taken into custody by the FBI in New York around 12:30 p.m. Monday, NBC News reported . He was released Monday night on $300,000 bond with his travel restricted to the New York and Los Angeles areas, according to Yahoo Sports. Hes due back in court on April 1 in California, and on April 25 for the New York charges.

Update: Avenatti has been released on $300,000 bond and has his travel restricted to SDNY, EDNY and the Southern District of California. Must report any transactions of of more than $5,000 from any accounts he controls. https://t.co/eAQgjEZzRP

Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) March 25, 2019","type":"rich","meta":{"author":"Pete Thamel","author_url":"https://twitter.com/PeteThamel","cache_age":86400,"description":"Update: Avenatti has been released on $300,000 bond and has his travel restricted to SDNY, EDNY and the Southern District of California. Must report any transactions of of more than $5,000 from any accounts he controls. https://t.co/eAQgjEZzRP Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) March 25, 2019\n\n","provider_name":"Twitter","title":"Pete Thamel on Twitter","type":"rich","url":"https://twitter.com/PeteThamel/status/1110321047050555392","version":"1.0"},"flags":[],"fullBleed":false,"options":{"theme":"news","device":"mobile","editionInfo":{"id":"us","name":"U.S.","link":"https://action.news","locale":"en_US"},"originalEdition":"us","isMapi":false,"isAmp":false,"isVideoEntry":false,"isEntry":true,"isMt":false,"entryId":"5c990a30e4b01ebeef12a217","entryPermalink":"https://action.news/entry/michael-avenatti-arrested-federal-nike-extortion_n_5c990a30e4b01ebeef12a217","entryTagsList":"stormy-daniels,michael-avenatti,united-states-attorney,nike-inc,@developing","sectionSlug":"politics","deptSlug":"politics-news","sectionRedirectUrl":null,"subcategories":"business,crime","isWide":false,"headerOverride":null,"noVideoAds":false,"disableFloat":false,"isNative":false,"commercialVideo":{"provider":"custom","site_and_category":"us.politics","package":null},"isHighline":false,"vidibleConfigValues":{"cid":"60afc111dcf87c2cd2f5d8bf","overrides":{"front_page_top_videos":{"desktop":"60b64354b171b7444beaff4d","mobileweb":"60b64354b171b7444beaff4d"},"top_media":{"desktop":"60b8e6bdc5449357a7ada147","mobile":"60b8e701c5449357a7ada2ee","iphone":"60b8e643cdd90620331bb1f6","ipad":"60b8e643cdd90620331bb1f6","androidphone":"60b8e699c5449357a7ada04c","androidtablet":"60b8e699c5449357a7ada04c"},"anthology":{"desktop":"60b8e616cdd90620331bb0ba","mobile":"60b8e671c5449357a7ad9f66","iphone":"60b8e643cdd90620331bb1f6","ipad":"60b8e643cdd90620331bb1f6","androidphone":"60b8e699c5449357a7ada04c","androidtablet":"60b8e699c5449357a7ada04c"},"content":{"desktop":"60b8e616cdd90620331bb0ba","mobile":"60b8e671c5449357a7ad9f66","iphone":"60b8e643cdd90620331bb1f6","ipad":"60b8e643cdd90620331bb1f6","androidphone":"60b8e699c5449357a7ada04c","androidtablet":"60b8e699c5449357a7ada04c"}},"playerUpdates":{"5668ae6ee4b0b5e26955d6a6":"60d2472d9340d7032ad7e443","56aa41bae4b091744c0440d8":"60e869dc7c5f3b17b6741b81","5841b2b5cc52c716ec6e5a7f":"60b8e355cdd90620331ba185","58b5e2b8d85a10302feee895":"60b64316b171b7444beafdb2","58b74698f78ced31417819ae":"60b8e5bec5449357a7ad9b52","58b74ccecebcea57e2c3a3d1":"60b8e5eac5449357a7ad9ca5","58cff690d85a100b9992bc39":"60b8e616cdd90620331bb0ba","58cffb3fb6d9b972a49a3c9d":"60b8e643cdd90620331bb1f6","58cffdd74d96935d7d6ec180":"60b8e671c5449357a7ad9f66","58d03a84f78ced6518eb2fa7":"60b643c82e76be41f112735c","592edf20e0fa177b0c26f7fd":"60b8e699c5449357a7ada04c","5b35266b158f855373e28256":"60b64354b171b7444beaff4d","5c116f29f79c4171d82b7c2a":"60b64440b171b7444beb040b","5c1170fc600c9a697bf0c6b9":"60b646102e76be41f1127ffc","5c47791afa1b317df8ae0c4f":"60b8e6bdc5449357a7ada147","5c477987a6b48b35f164773d":"60b8e701c5449357a7ada2ee","5c4779ee943c3c2a64f28371":"60b8e747cdd90620331bb861","5c477a26fcd67b26879bc7c2":"60b8e788c5449357a7ada67b","5d8921a78c3ae845f366c9b6":"60ae7be5f3a7c13a30417ff9","58b98b00ba82aa39a6534321":"60d0de7c9340d7032ad1146c","58b9d14cb6d9b96c9ec32af3":"60d0dec19340d7032ad115a0","58cff8eccebcea42931e0436":"60d0e005b627221e9d819d44","592edf5de0fa177b0c26f95b":"60d0e38fb627221e9d81adcf","58cff72fd85a100b9992c112":"60d0e447b627221e9d81b0da","56b4d34fe4b022697697c400":"60d2472d9340d7032ad7e443","60b8e4c0c5449357a7ad957d":"60e869dc7c5f3b17b6741b81"}},"connatixConfigValues":{"defaultPlayer":"ff7fdddc-5441-4253-abc4-f12a33fad58b","clickToPlayPlayer":"d014396e-b366-4c17-aeac-3ce906fa3fd0","videoPagePlayer":"f010447b-d244-4111-a314-7b4542ae4145","verticalPlayer":"e58cb05a-0bc8-4210-9108-fea82726c065","stickyPlayerControl":"52ea1755-d601-4ad1-bccc-d8cce3f0e5da","stickyPlayerON":"8055e9e5-3bda-4933-8d45-9ad814fb6e22"},"topConnatixThumnbailSrc":"https://img.connatix.com/b6ec2a72-73f4-4a5c-8c28-42462d6b2597/1_th.jpg?crop=480:270,smart&width=480&height=270&format=jpeg&quality=60&fit=crop","customAmpComponents":[],"ampAssetsUrl":"https://amp.assets.huffpost.com","videoTraits":null,"positionInUnitCounts":{"buzz_head":{"count":0},"buzz_body":{"count":0},"buzz_bottom":{"count":0}},"positionInSubUnitCounts":{"article_body":{"count":9},"blog_summary":{"count":0},"before_you_go_content":{"count":0}},"connatixCountsHelper":{"count":1},"buzzfeedTracking":{"context_page_id":"5c990a30e4b01ebeef12a217","context_page_type":"buzz","destination":"huffpost","mode":"mobile","page_edition":"en-us"},"tags":[{"name":"stormy daniels","slug":"stormy-daniels","links":{"relativeLink":"topic/stormy-daniels","permalink":"https://action.news/topic/stormy-daniels","mobileWebLink":"https://action.news/topic/stormy-daniels"},"relegenceId":3782744,"department":{"name":"Latest News","slug":"politics-news"},"section":{"title":"Politics","slug":"politics"},"topic":{"title":"Stormy Daniels","slug":"stormy-daniels","overridesSectionLabel":false},"url":"https://action.news/news/topic/stormy-daniels"},{"name":"michael avenatti","slug":"michael-avenatti","links":{"relativeLink":"topic/michael-avenatti","permalink":"https://action.news/topic/michael-avenatti","mobileWebLink":"https://action.news/topic/michael-avenatti"},"department":{"name":"Latest News","slug":"politics-news"},"section":{"title":"Politics","slug":"politics"},"topic":{"title":"Michael Avenatti","slug":"michael-avenatti","overridesSectionLabel":false},"url":"https://action.news/news/topic/michael-avenatti"},{"name":"United States Attorney","slug":"united-states-attorney","links":{"relativeLink":"topic/united-states-attorney","permalink":"https://action.news/topic/united-states-attorney","mobileWebLink":"https://action.news/topic/united-states-attorney"},"relegenceId":3604053,"url":"https://action.news/topic/united-states-attorney"},{"name":"Nike, Inc.","slug":"nike-inc","links":{"relativeLink":"topic/nike-inc","permalink":"https://action.news/topic/nike-inc","mobileWebLink":"https://action.news/topic/nike-inc"},"department":{"name":"Impact","slug":"impact"},"section":{"title":"Business","slug":"business"},"topic":{"title":"Nike","slug":"nike","overridesSectionLabel":false},"url":"https://action.news/impact/topic/nike"}],"isLiveblogLive":null,"isLiveblog":false,"cetUnit":"buzz_body","bodyAds":["

\r\n\r\n","

\r\n\r\n"],"adCount":0},"isCollectionEmbed":false,"enhancements":{}}">

Update: Avenatti has been released on $300,000 bond and has his travel restricted to SDNY, EDNY and the Southern District of California. Must report any transactions of of more than $5,000 from any accounts he controls. https://t.co/eAQgjEZzRP
Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) March 25, 2019

By engaging in the conduct alleged in the complaint, Avenatti was not acting as an attorney, U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman said during a press conference Monday afternoon. A suit and tie does not mask the fact that at its core this was an old-fashioned shakedown.

Minutes before his arrest Monday, Avenatti announced shortly after noon on Twitter that he planned to hold a press conference to disclose a major high school/college basketball scandal perpetrated by Nike.

The criminal conduct reaches the highest levels of Nike and involves some of the biggest names in college basketball, he tweeted.

Tmrw at 11 am ET, we will be holding a press conference to disclose a major high school/college basketball scandal perpetrated by @Nike that we have uncovered. This criminal conduct reaches the highest levels of Nike and involves some of the biggest names in college basketball.

Michael Avenatti (@MichaelAvenatti) March 25, 2019","type":"rich","meta":{"author":"Michael Avenatti","author_url":"https://twitter.com/MichaelAvenatti","cache_age":86400,"description":"Tmrw at 11 am ET, we will be holding a press conference to disclose a major high school/college basketball scandal perpetrated by @Nike that we have uncovered. This criminal conduct reaches the highest levels of Nike and involves some of the biggest names in college basketball. Michael Avenatti (@MichaelAvenatti) March 25, 2019\n\n","provider_name":"Twitter","title":"Michael Avenatti on Twitter","type":"rich","url":"https://twitter.com/MichaelAvenatti/status/1110213957170749440","version":"1.0"},"flags":[],"fullBleed":false,"options":{"theme":"news","device":"mobile","editionInfo":{"id":"us","name":"U.S.","link":"https://action.news","locale":"en_US"},"originalEdition":"us","isMapi":false,"isAmp":false,"isVideoEntry":false,"isEntry":true,"isMt":false,"entryId":"5c990a30e4b01ebeef12a217","entryPermalink":"https://action.news/entry/michael-avenatti-arrested-federal-nike-extortion_n_5c990a30e4b01ebeef12a217","entryTagsList":"stormy-daniels,michael-avenatti,united-states-attorney,nike-inc,@developing","sectionSlug":"politics","deptSlug":"politics-news","sectionRedirectUrl":null,"subcategories":"business,crime","isWide":false,"headerOverride":null,"noVideoAds":false,"disableFloat":false,"isNative":false,"commercialVideo":{"provider":"custom","site_and_category":"us.politics","package":null},"isHighline":false,"vidibleConfigValues":{"cid":"60afc111dcf87c2cd2f5d8bf","overrides":{"front_page_top_videos":{"desktop":"60b64354b171b7444beaff4d","mobileweb":"60b64354b171b7444beaff4d"},"top_media":{"desktop":"60b8e6bdc5449357a7ada147","mobile":"60b8e701c5449357a7ada2ee","iphone":"60b8e643cdd90620331bb1f6","ipad":"60b8e643cdd90620331bb1f6","androidphone":"60b8e699c5449357a7ada04c","androidtablet":"60b8e699c5449357a7ada04c"},"anthology":{"desktop":"60b8e616cdd90620331bb0ba","mobile":"60b8e671c5449357a7ad9f66","iphone":"60b8e643cdd90620331bb1f6","ipad":"60b8e643cdd90620331bb1f6","androidphone":"60b8e699c5449357a7ada04c","androidtablet":"60b8e699c5449357a7ada04c"},"content":{"desktop":"60b8e616cdd90620331bb0ba","mobile":"60b8e671c5449357a7ad9f66","iphone":"60b8e643cdd90620331bb1f6","ipad":"60b8e643cdd90620331bb1f6","androidphone":"60b8e699c5449357a7ada04c","androidtablet":"60b8e699c5449357a7ada04c"}},"playerUpdates":{"5668ae6ee4b0b5e26955d6a6":"60d2472d9340d7032ad7e443","56aa41bae4b091744c0440d8":"60e869dc7c5f3b17b6741b81","5841b2b5cc52c716ec6e5a7f":"60b8e355cdd90620331ba185","58b5e2b8d85a10302feee895":"60b64316b171b7444beafdb2","58b74698f78ced31417819ae":"60b8e5bec5449357a7ad9b52","58b74ccecebcea57e2c3a3d1":"60b8e5eac5449357a7ad9ca5","58cff690d85a100b9992bc39":"60b8e616cdd90620331bb0ba","58cffb3fb6d9b972a49a3c9d":"60b8e643cdd90620331bb1f6","58cffdd74d96935d7d6ec180":"60b8e671c5449357a7ad9f66","58d03a84f78ced6518eb2fa7":"60b643c82e76be41f112735c","592edf20e0fa177b0c26f7fd":"60b8e699c5449357a7ada04c","5b35266b158f855373e28256":"60b64354b171b7444beaff4d","5c116f29f79c4171d82b7c2a":"60b64440b171b7444beb040b","5c1170fc600c9a697bf0c6b9":"60b646102e76be41f1127ffc","5c47791afa1b317df8ae0c4f":"60b8e6bdc5449357a7ada147","5c477987a6b48b35f164773d":"60b8e701c5449357a7ada2ee","5c4779ee943c3c2a64f28371":"60b8e747cdd90620331bb861","5c477a26fcd67b26879bc7c2":"60b8e788c5449357a7ada67b","5d8921a78c3ae845f366c9b6":"60ae7be5f3a7c13a30417ff9","58b98b00ba82aa39a6534321":"60d0de7c9340d7032ad1146c","58b9d14cb6d9b96c9ec32af3":"60d0dec19340d7032ad115a0","58cff8eccebcea42931e0436":"60d0e005b627221e9d819d44","592edf5de0fa177b0c26f95b":"60d0e38fb627221e9d81adcf","58cff72fd85a100b9992c112":"60d0e447b627221e9d81b0da","56b4d34fe4b022697697c400":"60d2472d9340d7032ad7e443","60b8e4c0c5449357a7ad957d":"60e869dc7c5f3b17b6741b81"}},"connatixConfigValues":{"defaultPlayer":"ff7fdddc-5441-4253-abc4-f12a33fad58b","clickToPlayPlayer":"d014396e-b366-4c17-aeac-3ce906fa3fd0","videoPagePlayer":"f010447b-d244-4111-a314-7b4542ae4145","verticalPlayer":"e58cb05a-0bc8-4210-9108-fea82726c065","stickyPlayerControl":"52ea1755-d601-4ad1-bccc-d8cce3f0e5da","stickyPlayerON":"8055e9e5-3bda-4933-8d45-9ad814fb6e22"},"topConnatixThumnbailSrc":"https://img.connatix.com/b6ec2a72-73f4-4a5c-8c28-42462d6b2597/1_th.jpg?crop=480:270,smart&width=480&height=270&format=jpeg&quality=60&fit=crop","customAmpComponents":[],"ampAssetsUrl":"https://amp.assets.huffpost.com","videoTraits":null,"positionInUnitCounts":{"buzz_head":{"count":0},"buzz_body":{"count":0},"buzz_bottom":{"count":0}},"positionInSubUnitCounts":{"article_body":{"count":9},"blog_summary":{"count":0},"before_you_go_content":{"count":0}},"connatixCountsHelper":{"count":1},"buzzfeedTracking":{"context_page_id":"5c990a30e4b01ebeef12a217","context_page_type":"buzz","destination":"huffpost","mode":"mobile","page_edition":"en-us"},"tags":[{"name":"stormy daniels","slug":"stormy-daniels","links":{"relativeLink":"topic/stormy-daniels","permalink":"https://action.news/topic/stormy-daniels","mobileWebLink":"https://action.news/topic/stormy-daniels"},"relegenceId":3782744,"department":{"name":"Latest News","slug":"politics-news"},"section":{"title":"Politics","slug":"politics"},"topic":{"title":"Stormy Daniels","slug":"stormy-daniels","overridesSectionLabel":false},"url":"https://action.news/news/topic/stormy-daniels"},{"name":"michael avenatti","slug":"michael-avenatti","links":{"relativeLink":"topic/michael-avenatti","permalink":"https://action.news/topic/michael-avenatti","mobileWebLink":"https://action.news/topic/michael-avenatti"},"department":{"name":"Latest News","slug":"politics-news"},"section":{"title":"Politics","slug":"politics"},"topic":{"title":"Michael Avenatti","slug":"michael-avenatti","overridesSectionLabel":false},"url":"https://action.news/news/topic/michael-avenatti"},{"name":"United States Attorney","slug":"united-states-attorney","links":{"relativeLink":"topic/united-states-attorney","permalink":"https://action.news/topic/united-states-attorney","mobileWebLink":"https://action.news/topic/united-states-attorney"},"relegenceId":3604053,"url":"https://action.news/topic/united-states-attorney"},{"name":"Nike, Inc.","slug":"nike-inc","links":{"relativeLink":"topic/nike-inc","permalink":"https://action.news/topic/nike-inc","mobileWebLink":"https://action.news/topic/nike-inc"},"department":{"name":"Impact","slug":"impact"},"section":{"title":"Business","slug":"business"},"topic":{"title":"Nike","slug":"nike","overridesSectionLabel":false},"url":"https://action.news/impact/topic/nike"}],"isLiveblogLive":null,"isLiveblog":false,"cetUnit":"buzz_body","bodyAds":["

\r\n\r\n","

\r\n\r\n"],"adCount":0},"isCollectionEmbed":false,"enhancements":{}}">

Tmrw at 11 am ET, we will be holding a press conference to disclose a major high school/college basketball scandal perpetrated by @Nike that we have uncovered. This criminal conduct reaches the highest levels of Nike and involves some of the biggest names in college basketball.
Michael Avenatti (@MichaelAvenatti) March 25, 2019

Berman said Monday that Avenatti carried out the alleged extortion scheme over the last week. Nike attorneys reported to the U.S. attorneys office on March 19 that Avenatti had threatened to extort the company for up to $25 million.

Avenatti claimed to represent a high school basketball coach whose team had been sponsored by Nike until recently, federal prosecutors say. The coach, Avenatti allegedly claimed, had information about Nike misconduct that he would go public with if the company didnt pay him millions.

Avenatti, in a conversation recorded by the FBI, allegedly demanded that Nike attorneys agree to pay him millions to conduct an internal investigation into the company or he would wipe out billions of dollars worth of Nikes capital by going public with the accusations of misconduct.

In a tweet Tuesday morning, the embattled attorney denied that he tried to extort Nike. He did not address the bank and wire fraud charges against him in Los Angeles.

I am anxious for people to see what really happened, Avenatti wrote on Twitter. We never attempted to extort Nike & when the evidence is disclosed, the public will learn the truth about Nikes crime & coverup.

I want to thank all of my supporters for your kind words and support today. It means a lot to me. I am anxious for people to see what really happened. We never attempted to extort Nike & when the evidence is disclosed, the public will learn the truth about Nikes crime & coverup.

Michael Avenatti (@MichaelAvenatti) March 26, 2019","type":"rich","meta":{"author":"Michael Avenatti","author_url":"https://twitter.com/MichaelAvenatti","cache_age":86400,"description":"I want to thank all of my supporters for your kind words and support today. It means a lot to me. I am anxious for people to see what really happened. We never attempted to extort Nike & when the evidence is disclosed, the public will learn the truth about Nikes crime & coverup. Michael Avenatti (@MichaelAvenatti) March 26, 2019\n\n","provider_name":"Twitter","title":"Michael Avenatti on Twitter","type":"rich","url":"https://twitter.com/MichaelAvenatti/status/1110437926171754497","version":"1.0"},"flags":[],"fullBleed":false,"options":{"theme":"news","device":"mobile","editionInfo":{"id":"us","name":"U.S.","link":"https://action.news","locale":"en_US"},"originalEdition":"us","isMapi":false,"isAmp":false,"isVideoEntry":false,"isEntry":true,"isMt":false,"entryId":"5c990a30e4b01ebeef12a217","entryPermalink":"https://action.news/entry/michael-avenatti-arrested-federal-nike-extortion_n_5c990a30e4b01ebeef12a217","entryTagsList":"stormy-daniels,michael-avenatti,united-states-attorney,nike-inc,@developing","sectionSlug":"politics","deptSlug":"politics-news","sectionRedirectUrl":null,"subcategories":"business,crime","isWide":false,"headerOverride":null,"noVideoAds":false,"disableFloat":false,"isNative":false,"commercialVideo":{"provider":"custom","site_and_category":"us.politics","package":null},"isHighline":false,"vidibleConfigValues":{"cid":"60afc111dcf87c2cd2f5d8bf","overrides":{"front_page_top_videos":{"desktop":"60b64354b171b7444beaff4d","mobileweb":"60b64354b171b7444beaff4d"},"top_media":{"desktop":"60b8e6bdc5449357a7ada147","mobile":"60b8e701c5449357a7ada2ee","iphone":"60b8e643cdd90620331bb1f6","ipad":"60b8e643cdd90620331bb1f6","androidphone":"60b8e699c5449357a7ada04c","androidtablet":"60b8e699c5449357a7ada04c"},"anthology":{"desktop":"60b8e616cdd90620331bb0ba","mobile":"60b8e671c5449357a7ad9f66","iphone":"60b8e643cdd90620331bb1f6","ipad":"60b8e643cdd90620331bb1f6","androidphone":"60b8e699c5449357a7ada04c","androidtablet":"60b8e699c5449357a7ada04c"},"content":{"desktop":"60b8e616cdd90620331bb0ba","mobile":"60b8e671c5449357a7ad9f66","iphone":"60b8e643cdd90620331bb1f6","ipad":"60b8e643cdd90620331bb1f6","androidphone":"60b8e699c5449357a7ada04c","androidtablet":"60b8e699c5449357a7ada04c"}},"playerUpdates":{"5668ae6ee4b0b5e26955d6a6":"60d2472d9340d7032ad7e443","56aa41bae4b091744c0440d8":"60e869dc7c5f3b17b6741b81","5841b2b5cc52c716ec6e5a7f":"60b8e355cdd90620331ba185","58b5e2b8d85a10302feee895":"60b64316b171b7444beafdb2","58b74698f78ced31417819ae":"60b8e5bec5449357a7ad9b52","58b74ccecebcea57e2c3a3d1":"60b8e5eac5449357a7ad9ca5","58cff690d85a100b9992bc39":"60b8e616cdd90620331bb0ba","58cffb3fb6d9b972a49a3c9d":"60b8e643cdd90620331bb1f6","58cffdd74d96935d7d6ec180":"60b8e671c5449357a7ad9f66","58d03a84f78ced6518eb2fa7":"60b643c82e76be41f112735c","592edf20e0fa177b0c26f7fd":"60b8e699c5449357a7ada04c","5b35266b158f855373e28256":"60b64354b171b7444beaff4d","5c116f29f79c4171d82b7c2a":"60b64440b171b7444beb040b","5c1170fc600c9a697bf0c6b9":"60b646102e76be41f1127ffc","5c47791afa1b317df8ae0c4f":"60b8e6bdc5449357a7ada147","5c477987a6b48b35f164773d":"60b8e701c5449357a7ada2ee","5c4779ee943c3c2a64f28371":"60b8e747cdd90620331bb861","5c477a26fcd67b26879bc7c2":"60b8e788c5449357a7ada67b","5d8921a78c3ae845f366c9b6":"60ae7be5f3a7c13a30417ff9","58b98b00ba82aa39a6534321":"60d0de7c9340d7032ad1146c","58b9d14cb6d9b96c9ec32af3":"60d0dec19340d7032ad115a0","58cff8eccebcea42931e0436":"60d0e005b627221e9d819d44","592edf5de0fa177b0c26f95b":"60d0e38fb627221e9d81adcf","58cff72fd85a100b9992c112":"60d0e447b627221e9d81b0da","56b4d34fe4b022697697c400":"60d2472d9340d7032ad7e443","60b8e4c0c5449357a7ad957d":"60e869dc7c5f3b17b6741b81"}},"connatixConfigValues":{"defaultPlayer":"ff7fdddc-5441-4253-abc4-f12a33fad58b","clickToPlayPlayer":"d014396e-b366-4c17-aeac-3ce906fa3fd0","videoPagePlayer":"f010447b-d244-4111-a314-7b4542ae4145","verticalPlayer":"e58cb05a-0bc8-4210-9108-fea82726c065","stickyPlayerControl":"52ea1755-d601-4ad1-bccc-d8cce3f0e5da","stickyPlayerON":"8055e9e5-3bda-4933-8d45-9ad814fb6e22"},"topConnatixThumnbailSrc":"https://img.connatix.com/b6ec2a72-73f4-4a5c-8c28-42462d6b2597/1_th.jpg?crop=480:270,smart&width=480&height=270&format=jpeg&quality=60&fit=crop","customAmpComponents":[],"ampAssetsUrl":"https://amp.assets.huffpost.com","videoTraits":null,"positionInUnitCounts":{"buzz_head":{"count":0},"buzz_body":{"count":0},"buzz_bottom":{"count":0}},"positionInSubUnitCounts":{"article_body":{"count":9},"blog_summary":{"count":0},"before_you_go_content":{"count":0}},"connatixCountsHelper":{"count":1},"buzzfeedTracking":{"context_page_id":"5c990a30e4b01ebeef12a217","context_page_type":"buzz","destination":"huffpost","mode":"mobile","page_edition":"en-us"},"tags":[{"name":"stormy daniels","slug":"stormy-daniels","links":{"relativeLink":"topic/stormy-daniels","permalink":"https://action.news/topic/stormy-daniels","mobileWebLink":"https://action.news/topic/stormy-daniels"},"relegenceId":3782744,"department":{"name":"Latest News","slug":"politics-news"},"section":{"title":"Politics","slug":"politics"},"topic":{"title":"Stormy Daniels","slug":"stormy-daniels","overridesSectionLabel":false},"url":"https://action.news/news/topic/stormy-daniels"},{"name":"michael avenatti","slug":"michael-avenatti","links":{"relativeLink":"topic/michael-avenatti","permalink":"https://action.news/topic/michael-avenatti","mobileWebLink":"https://action.news/topic/michael-avenatti"},"department":{"name":"Latest News","slug":"politics-news"},"section":{"title":"Politics","slug":"politics"},"topic":{"title":"Michael Avenatti","slug":"michael-avenatti","overridesSectionLabel":false},"url":"https://action.news/news/topic/michael-avenatti"},{"name":"United States Attorney","slug":"united-states-attorney","links":{"relativeLink":"topic/united-states-attorney","permalink":"https://action.news/topic/united-states-attorney","mobileWebLink":"https://action.news/topic/united-states-attorney"},"relegenceId":3604053,"url":"https://action.news/topic/united-states-attorney"},{"name":"Nike, Inc.","slug":"nike-inc","links":{"relativeLink":"topic/nike-inc","permalink":"https://action.news/topic/nike-inc","mobileWebLink":"https://action.news/topic/nike-inc"},"department":{"name":"Impact","slug":"impact"},"section":{"title":"Business","slug":"business"},"topic":{"title":"Nike","slug":"nike","overridesSectionLabel":false},"url":"https://action.news/impact/topic/nike"}],"isLiveblogLive":null,"isLiveblog":false,"cetUnit":"buzz_body","bodyAds":["

\r\n\r\n","

\r\n\r\n"],"adCount":0},"isCollectionEmbed":false,"enhancements":{}}">

I want to thank all of my supporters for your kind words and support today. It means a lot to me. I am anxious for people to see what really happened. We never attempted to extort Nike & when the evidence is disclosed, the public will learn the truth about Nikes crime & coverup.
Michael Avenatti (@MichaelAvenatti) March 26, 2019

Ask DeAndre Ayton and Nike about the cash payments to his mother and others. Nikes attempt at diversion and cover-up will fail miserably once prosecutors realize they have been played by Nike and their lawyers at Boies. This reaches the highest levels of Nike.

Michael Avenatti (@MichaelAvenatti) March 26, 2019","type":"rich","meta":{"author":"Michael Avenatti","author_url":"https://twitter.com/MichaelAvenatti","cache_age":86400,"description":"Ask DeAndre Ayton and Nike about the cash payments to his mother and others. Nikes attempt at diversion and cover-up will fail miserably once prosecutors realize they have been played by Nike and their lawyers at Boies. This reaches the highest levels of Nike. Michael Avenatti (@MichaelAvenatti) March 26, 2019\n\n","options":{"_hide_thread":{"label":"Hide previous Tweet in conversation thread","value":true}},"provider_name":"Twitter","title":"Michael Avenatti on Twitter","type":"rich","url":"https://twitter.com/MichaelAvenatti/status/1110520384816852992","version":"1.0"},"flags":[],"fullBleed":false,"options":{"theme":"news","device":"mobile","editionInfo":{"id":"us","name":"U.S.","link":"https://action.news","locale":"en_US"},"originalEdition":"us","isMapi":false,"isAmp":false,"isVideoEntry":false,"isEntry":true,"isMt":false,"entryId":"5c990a30e4b01ebeef12a217","entryPermalink":"https://action.news/entry/michael-avenatti-arrested-federal-nike-extortion_n_5c990a30e4b01ebeef12a217","entryTagsList":"stormy-daniels,michael-avenatti,united-states-attorney,nike-inc,@developing","sectionSlug":"politics","deptSlug":"politics-news","sectionRedirectUrl":null,"subcategories":"business,crime","isWide":false,"headerOverride":null,"noVideoAds":false,"disableFloat":false,"isNative":false,"commercialVideo":{"provider":"custom","site_and_category":"us.politics","package":null},"isHighline":false,"vidibleConfigValues":{"cid":"60afc111dcf87c2cd2f5d8bf","overrides":{"front_page_top_videos":{"desktop":"60b64354b171b7444beaff4d","mobileweb":"60b64354b171b7444beaff4d"},"top_media":{"desktop":"60b8e6bdc5449357a7ada147","mobile":"60b8e701c5449357a7ada2ee","iphone":"60b8e643cdd90620331bb1f6","ipad":"60b8e643cdd90620331bb1f6","androidphone":"60b8e699c5449357a7ada04c","androidtablet":"60b8e699c5449357a7ada04c"},"anthology":{"desktop":"60b8e616cdd90620331bb0ba","mobile":"60b8e671c5449357a7ad9f66","iphone":"60b8e643cdd90620331bb1f6","ipad":"60b8e643cdd90620331bb1f6","androidphone":"60b8e699c5449357a7ada04c","androidtablet":"60b8e699c5449357a7ada04c"},"content":{"desktop":"60b8e616cdd90620331bb0ba","mobile":"60b8e671c5449357a7ad9f66","iphone":"60b8e643cdd90620331bb1f6","ipad":"60b8e643cdd90620331bb1f6","androidphone":"60b8e699c5449357a7ada04c","androidtablet":"60b8e699c5449357a7ada04c"}},"playerUpdates":{"5668ae6ee4b0b5e26955d6a6":"60d2472d9340d7032ad7e443","56aa41bae4b091744c0440d8":"60e869dc7c5f3b17b6741b81","5841b2b5cc52c716ec6e5a7f":"60b8e355cdd90620331ba185","58b5e2b8d85a10302feee895":"60b64316b171b7444beafdb2","58b74698f78ced31417819ae":"60b8e5bec5449357a7ad9b52","58b74ccecebcea57e2c3a3d1":"60b8e5eac5449357a7ad9ca5","58cff690d85a100b9992bc39":"60b8e616cdd90620331bb0ba","58cffb3fb6d9b972a49a3c9d":"60b8e643cdd90620331bb1f6","58cffdd74d96935d7d6ec180":"60b8e671c5449357a7ad9f66","58d03a84f78ced6518eb2fa7":"60b643c82e76be41f112735c","592edf20e0fa177b0c26f7fd":"60b8e699c5449357a7ada04c","5b35266b158f855373e28256":"60b64354b171b7444beaff4d","5c116f29f79c4171d82b7c2a":"60b64440b171b7444beb040b","5c1170fc600c9a697bf0c6b9":"60b646102e76be41f1127ffc","5c47791afa1b317df8ae0c4f":"60b8e6bdc5449357a7ada147","5c477987a6b48b35f164773d":"60b8e701c5449357a7ada2ee","5c4779ee943c3c2a64f28371":"60b8e747cdd90620331bb861","5c477a26fcd67b26879bc7c2":"60b8e788c5449357a7ada67b","5d8921a78c3ae845f366c9b6":"60ae7be5f3a7c13a30417ff9","58b98b00ba82aa39a6534321":"60d0de7c9340d7032ad1146c","58b9d14cb6d9b96c9ec32af3":"60d0dec19340d7032ad115a0","58cff8eccebcea42931e0436":"60d0e005b627221e9d819d44","592edf5de0fa177b0c26f95b":"60d0e38fb627221e9d81adcf","58cff72fd85a100b9992c112":"60d0e447b627221e9d81b0da","56b4d34fe4b022697697c400":"60d2472d9340d7032ad7e443","60b8e4c0c5449357a7ad957d":"60e869dc7c5f3b17b6741b81"}},"connatixConfigValues":{"defaultPlayer":"ff7fdddc-5441-4253-abc4-f12a33fad58b","clickToPlayPlayer":"d014396e-b366-4c17-aeac-3ce906fa3fd0","videoPagePlayer":"f010447b-d244-4111-a314-7b4542ae4145","verticalPlayer":"e58cb05a-0bc8-4210-9108-fea82726c065","stickyPlayerControl":"52ea1755-d601-4ad1-bccc-d8cce3f0e5da","stickyPlayerON":"8055e9e5-3bda-4933-8d45-9ad814fb6e22"},"topConnatixThumnbailSrc":"https://img.connatix.com/b6ec2a72-73f4-4a5c-8c28-42462d6b2597/1_th.jpg?crop=480:270,smart&width=480&height=270&format=jpeg&quality=60&fit=crop","customAmpComponents":[],"ampAssetsUrl":"https://amp.assets.huffpost.com","videoTraits":null,"positionInUnitCounts":{"buzz_head":{"count":0},"buzz_body":{"count":0},"buzz_bottom":{"count":0}},"positionInSubUnitCounts":{"article_body":{"count":9},"blog_summary":{"count":0},"before_you_go_content":{"count":0}},"connatixCountsHelper":{"count":1},"buzzfeedTracking":{"context_page_id":"5c990a30e4b01ebeef12a217","context_page_type":"buzz","destination":"huffpost","mode":"mobile","page_edition":"en-us"},"tags":[{"name":"stormy daniels","slug":"stormy-daniels","links":{"relativeLink":"topic/stormy-daniels","permalink":"https://action.news/topic/stormy-daniels","mobileWebLink":"https://action.news/topic/stormy-daniels"},"relegenceId":3782744,"department":{"name":"Latest News","slug":"politics-news"},"section":{"title":"Politics","slug":"politics"},"topic":{"title":"Stormy Daniels","slug":"stormy-daniels","overridesSectionLabel":false},"url":"https://action.news/news/topic/stormy-daniels"},{"name":"michael avenatti","slug":"michael-avenatti","links":{"relativeLink":"topic/michael-avenatti","permalink":"https://action.news/topic/michael-avenatti","mobileWebLink":"https://action.news/topic/michael-avenatti"},"department":{"name":"Latest News","slug":"politics-news"},"section":{"title":"Politics","slug":"politics"},"topic":{"title":"Michael Avenatti","slug":"michael-avenatti","overridesSectionLabel":false},"url":"https://action.news/news/topic/michael-avenatti"},{"name":"United States Attorney","slug":"united-states-attorney","links":{"relativeLink":"topic/united-states-attorney","permalink":"https://action.news/topic/united-states-attorney","mobileWebLink":"https://action.news/topic/united-states-attorney"},"relegenceId":3604053,"url":"https://action.news/topic/united-states-attorney"},{"name":"Nike, Inc.","slug":"nike-inc","links":{"relativeLink":"topic/nike-inc","permalink":"https://action.news/topic/nike-inc","mobileWebLink":"https://action.news/topic/nike-inc"},"department":{"name":"Impact","slug":"impact"},"section":{"title":"Business","slug":"business"},"topic":{"title":"Nike","slug":"nike","overridesSectionLabel":false},"url":"https://action.news/impact/topic/nike"}],"isLiveblogLive":null,"isLiveblog":false,"cetUnit":"buzz_body","bodyAds":["

\r\n\r\n","

\r\n\r\n"],"adCount":0},"isCollectionEmbed":false,"enhancements":{}}">

Ask DeAndre Ayton and Nike about the cash payments to his mother and others. Nikes attempt at diversion and cover-up will fail miserably once prosecutors realize they have been played by Nike and their lawyers at Boies. This reaches the highest levels of Nike.
Michael Avenatti (@MichaelAvenatti) March 26, 2019

Avenattis suggestions of malfeasance at Nike caused the companys share price to drop temporarily, Bloomberg reported .

The allegations, the complaint notes, are similar to those that have plagued Adidas since 2017, when federal prosecutors indicted nearly a dozen people , including two high-ranking Adidas executives and multiple assistant basketball coaches at schools with Adidas apparel contracts, on charges of fraud related to payments made to top college basketball recruits.

Two former Adidas executives were convicted on fraud charges in October.

Nike will not be extorted or hide information that is relevant to a government investigation, the company said in a statement. The company said it has been cooperating with the governments investigation into NCAA basketball for over a year.

#MichaelAvenatti charged with engaging in a scheme to extort Nike pic.twitter.com/zxS6vSyavu

US Attorney SDNY (@SDNYnews) March 25, 2019","type":"rich","meta":{"author":"US Attorney SDNY","author_url":"https://twitter.com/SDNYnews","cache_age":86400,"description":"#MichaelAvenatti charged with engaging in a scheme to extort Nike pic.twitter.com/zxS6vSyavu US Attorney SDNY (@SDNYnews) March 25, 2019\n\n","provider_name":"Twitter","thumbnail_height":701,"thumbnail_url":"https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D2hlvkUX4AAZRI-.jpg:large","thumbnail_width":960,"title":"US Attorney SDNY on Twitter","type":"rich","url":"https://twitter.com/SDNYnews/status/1110249201299013633","version":"1.0"},"flags":[],"fullBleed":false,"options":{"theme":"news","device":"mobile","editionInfo":{"id":"us","name":"U.S.","link":"https://action.news","locale":"en_US"},"originalEdition":"us","isMapi":false,"isAmp":false,"isVideoEntry":false,"isEntry":true,"isMt":false,"entryId":"5c990a30e4b01ebeef12a217","entryPermalink":"https://action.news/entry/michael-avenatti-arrested-federal-nike-extortion_n_5c990a30e4b01ebeef12a217","entryTagsList":"stormy-daniels,michael-avenatti,united-states-attorney,nike-inc,@developing","sectionSlug":"politics","deptSlug":"politics-news","sectionRedirectUrl":null,"subcategories":"business,crime","isWide":false,"headerOverride":null,"noVideoAds":false,"disableFloat":false,"isNative":false,"commercialVideo":{"provider":"custom","site_and_category":"us.politics","package":null},"isHighline":false,"vidibleConfigValues":{"cid":"60afc111dcf87c2cd2f5d8bf","overrides":{"front_page_top_videos":{"desktop":"60b64354b171b7444beaff4d","mobileweb":"60b64354b171b7444beaff4d"},"top_media":{"desktop":"60b8e6bdc5449357a7ada147","mobile":"60b8e701c5449357a7ada2ee","iphone":"60b8e643cdd90620331bb1f6","ipad":"60b8e643cdd90620331bb1f6","androidphone":"60b8e699c5449357a7ada04c","androidtablet":"60b8e699c5449357a7ada04c"},"anthology":{"desktop":"60b8e616cdd90620331bb0ba","mobile":"60b8e671c5449357a7ad9f66","iphone":"60b8e643cdd90620331bb1f6","ipad":"60b8e643cdd90620331bb1f6","androidphone":"60b8e699c5449357a7ada04c","androidtablet":"60b8e699c5449357a7ada04c"},"content":{"desktop":"60b8e616cdd90620331bb0ba","mobile":"60b8e671c5449357a7ad9f66","iphone":"60b8e643cdd90620331bb1f6","ipad":"60b8e643cdd90620331bb1f6","androidphone":"60b8e699c5449357a7ada04c","androidtablet":"60b8e699c5449357a7ada04c"}},"playerUpdates":{"5668ae6ee4b0b5e26955d6a6":"60d2472d9340d7032ad7e443","56aa41bae4b091744c0440d8":"60e869dc7c5f3b17b6741b81","5841b2b5cc52c716ec6e5a7f":"60b8e355cdd90620331ba185","58b5e2b8d85a10302feee895":"60b64316b171b7444beafdb2","58b74698f78ced31417819ae":"60b8e5bec5449357a7ad9b52","58b74ccecebcea57e2c3a3d1":"60b8e5eac5449357a7ad9ca5","58cff690d85a100b9992bc39":"60b8e616cdd90620331bb0ba","58cffb3fb6d9b972a49a3c9d":"60b8e643cdd90620331bb1f6","58cffdd74d96935d7d6ec180":"60b8e671c5449357a7ad9f66","58d03a84f78ced6518eb2fa7":"60b643c82e76be41f112735c","592edf20e0fa177b0c26f7fd":"60b8e699c5449357a7ada04c","5b35266b158f855373e28256":"60b64354b171b7444beaff4d","5c116f29f79c4171d82b7c2a":"60b64440b171b7444beb040b","5c1170fc600c9a697bf0c6b9":"60b646102e76be41f1127ffc","5c47791afa1b317df8ae0c4f":"60b8e6bdc5449357a7ada147","5c477987a6b48b35f164773d":"60b8e701c5449357a7ada2ee","5c4779ee943c3c2a64f28371":"60b8e747cdd90620331bb861","5c477a26fcd67b26879bc7c2":"60b8e788c5449357a7ada67b","5d8921a78c3ae845f366c9b6":"60ae7be5f3a7c13a30417ff9","58b98b00ba82aa39a6534321":"60d0de7c9340d7032ad1146c","58b9d14cb6d9b96c9ec32af3":"60d0dec19340d7032ad115a0","58cff8eccebcea42931e0436":"60d0e005b627221e9d819d44","592edf5de0fa177b0c26f95b":"60d0e38fb627221e9d81adcf","58cff72fd85a100b9992c112":"60d0e447b627221e9d81b0da","56b4d34fe4b022697697c400":"60d2472d9340d7032ad7e443","60b8e4c0c5449357a7ad957d":"60e869dc7c5f3b17b6741b81"}},"connatixConfigValues":{"defaultPlayer":"ff7fdddc-5441-4253-abc4-f12a33fad58b","clickToPlayPlayer":"d014396e-b366-4c17-aeac-3ce906fa3fd0","videoPagePlayer":"f010447b-d244-4111-a314-7b4542ae4145","verticalPlayer":"e58cb05a-0bc8-4210-9108-fea82726c065","stickyPlayerControl":"52ea1755-d601-4ad1-bccc-d8cce3f0e5da","stickyPlayerON":"8055e9e5-3bda-4933-8d45-9ad814fb6e22"},"topConnatixThumnbailSrc":"https://img.connatix.com/b6ec2a72-73f4-4a5c-8c28-42462d6b2597/1_th.jpg?crop=480:270,smart&width=480&height=270&format=jpeg&quality=60&fit=crop","customAmpComponents":[],"ampAssetsUrl":"https://amp.assets.huffpost.com","videoTraits":null,"positionInUnitCounts":{"buzz_head":{"count":0},"buzz_body":{"count":0},"buzz_bottom":{"count":0}},"positionInSubUnitCounts":{"article_body":{"count":9},"blog_summary":{"count":0},"before_you_go_content":{"count":0}},"connatixCountsHelper":{"count":1},"buzzfeedTracking":{"context_page_id":"5c990a30e4b01ebeef12a217","context_page_type":"buzz","destination":"huffpost","mode":"mobile","page_edition":"en-us"},"tags":[{"name":"stormy daniels","slug":"stormy-daniels","links":{"relativeLink":"topic/stormy-daniels","permalink":"https://action.news/topic/stormy-daniels","mobileWebLink":"https://action.news/topic/stormy-daniels"},"relegenceId":3782744,"department":{"name":"Latest News","slug":"politics-news"},"section":{"title":"Politics","slug":"politics"},"topic":{"title":"Stormy Daniels","slug":"stormy-daniels","overridesSectionLabel":false},"url":"https://action.news/news/topic/stormy-daniels"},{"name":"michael avenatti","slug":"michael-avenatti","links":{"relativeLink":"topic/michael-avenatti","permalink":"https://action.news/topic/michael-avenatti","mobileWebLink":"https://action.news/topic/michael-avenatti"},"department":{"name":"Latest News","slug":"politics-news"},"section":{"title":"Politics","slug":"politics"},"topic":{"title":"Michael Avenatti","slug":"michael-avenatti","overridesSectionLabel":false},"url":"https://action.news/news/topic/michael-avenatti"},{"name":"United States Attorney","slug":"united-states-attorney","links":{"relativeLink":"topic/united-states-attorney","permalink":"https://action.news/topic/united-states-attorney","mobileWebLink":"https://action.news/topic/united-states-attorney"},"relegenceId":3604053,"url":"https://action.news/topic/united-states-attorney"},{"name":"Nike, Inc.","slug":"nike-inc","links":{"relativeLink":"topic/nike-inc","permalink":"https://action.news/topic/nike-inc","mobileWebLink":"https://action.news/topic/nike-inc"},"department":{"name":"Impact","slug":"impact"},"section":{"title":"Business","slug":"business"},"topic":{"title":"Nike","slug":"nike","overridesSectionLabel":false},"url":"https://action.news/impact/topic/nike"}],"isLiveblogLive":null,"isLiveblog":false,"cetUnit":"buzz_body","bodyAds":["

\r\n\r\n","

\r\n\r\n"],"adCount":0},"isCollectionEmbed":false,"enhancements":{}}">

#MichaelAvenatti charged with engaging in a scheme to extort Nike pic.twitter.com/zxS6vSyavu
US Attorney SDNY (@SDNYnews) March 25, 2019

Avenatti rose to national fame in recent years for representing Daniels, who has alleged she had an affair with President Donald Trump in 2006 and that he paid her to stay silent about it ahead of the 2016 election.

Earlier this month, Avenattis office said he was no longer representing Daniels, citing various reasons that we cannot disclose publicly due to the attorney-client privilege.

Daniels said Monday that she was saddened but not shocked by Avenattis arrest.

I made the decision more than a month ago to terminate Michaels services after discovering that he had dealt with me extremely dishonestly, she said in a statement. There will be more announcements to come.

My statement regarding my former attorney Mr. Avenatti.. pic.twitter.com/9aKYCPNN6y

Stormy Daniels (@StormyDaniels) March 25, 2019","type":"rich","meta":{"author":"Stormy Daniels","author_url":"https://twitter.com/StormyDaniels","cache_age":86400,"description":"My statement regarding my former attorney Mr. Avenatti.. pic.twitter.com/9aKYCPNN6y Stormy Daniels (@StormyDaniels) March 25, 2019\n\n","provider_name":"Twitter","thumbnail_height":685,"thumbnail_url":"https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D2hddMQX0AY3hj8.jpg:large","thumbnail_width":1080,"title":"Stormy Daniels on Twitter","type":"rich","url":"https://twitter.com/StormyDaniels/status/1110240069619572738","version":"1.0"},"flags":[],"fullBleed":false,"options":{"theme":"news","device":"mobile","editionInfo":{"id":"us","name":"U.S.","link":"https://action.news","locale":"en_US"},"originalEdition":"us","isMapi":false,"isAmp":false,"isVideoEntry":false,"isEntry":true,"isMt":false,"entryId":"5c990a30e4b01ebeef12a217","entryPermalink":"https://action.news/entry/michael-avenatti-arrested-federal-nike-extortion_n_5c990a30e4b01ebeef12a217","entryTagsList":"stormy-daniels,michael-avenatti,united-states-attorney,nike-inc,@developing","sectionSlug":"politics","deptSlug":"politics-news","sectionRedirectUrl":null,"subcategories":"business,crime","isWide":false,"headerOverride":null,"noVideoAds":false,"disableFloat":false,"isNative":false,"commercialVideo":{"provider":"custom","site_and_category":"us.politics","package":null},"isHighline":false,"vidibleConfigValues":{"cid":"60afc111dcf87c2cd2f5d8bf","overrides":{"front_page_top_videos":{"desktop":"60b64354b171b7444beaff4d","mobileweb":"60b64354b171b7444beaff4d"},"top_media":{"desktop":"60b8e6bdc5449357a7ada147","mobile":"60b8e701c5449357a7ada2ee","iphone":"60b8e643cdd90620331bb1f6","ipad":"60b8e643cdd90620331bb1f6","androidphone":"60b8e699c5449357a7ada04c","androidtablet":"60b8e699c5449357a7ada04c"},"anthology":{"desktop":"60b8e616cdd90620331bb0ba","mobile":"60b8e671c5449357a7ad9f66","iphone":"60b8e643cdd90620331bb1f6","ipad":"60b8e643cdd90620331bb1f6","androidphone":"60b8e699c5449357a7ada04c","androidtablet":"60b8e699c5449357a7ada04c"},"content":{"desktop":"60b8e616cdd90620331bb0ba","mobile":"60b8e671c5449357a7ad9f66","iphone":"60b8e643cdd90620331bb1f6","ipad":"60b8e643cdd90620331bb1f6","androidphone":"60b8e699c5449357a7ada04c","androidtablet":"60b8e699c5449357a7ada04c"}},"playerUpdates":{"5668ae6ee4b0b5e26955d6a6":"60d2472d9340d7032ad7e443","56aa41bae4b091744c0440d8":"60e869dc7c5f3b17b6741b81","5841b2b5cc52c716ec6e5a7f":"60b8e355cdd90620331ba185","58b5e2b8d85a10302feee895":"60b64316b171b7444beafdb2","58b74698f78ced31417819ae":"60b8e5bec5449357a7ad9b52","58b74ccecebcea57e2c3a3d1":"60b8e5eac5449357a7ad9ca5","58cff690d85a100b9992bc39":"60b8e616cdd90620331bb0ba","58cffb3fb6d9b972a49a3c9d":"60b8e643cdd90620331bb1f6","58cffdd74d96935d7d6ec180":"60b8e671c5449357a7ad9f66","58d03a84f78ced6518eb2fa7":"60b643c82e76be41f112735c","592edf20e0fa177b0c26f7fd":"60b8e699c5449357a7ada04c","5b35266b158f855373e28256":"60b64354b171b7444beaff4d","5c116f29f79c4171d82b7c2a":"60b64440b171b7444beb040b","5c1170fc600c9a697bf0c6b9":"60b646102e76be41f1127ffc","5c47791afa1b317df8ae0c4f":"60b8e6bdc5449357a7ada147","5c477987a6b48b35f164773d":"60b8e701c5449357a7ada2ee","5c4779ee943c3c2a64f28371":"60b8e747cdd90620331bb861","5c477a26fcd67b26879bc7c2":"60b8e788c5449357a7ada67b","5d8921a78c3ae845f366c9b6":"60ae7be5f3a7c13a30417ff9","58b98b00ba82aa39a6534321":"60d0de7c9340d7032ad1146c","58b9d14cb6d9b96c9ec32af3":"60d0dec19340d7032ad115a0","58cff8eccebcea42931e0436":"60d0e005b627221e9d819d44","592edf5de0fa177b0c26f95b":"60d0e38fb627221e9d81adcf","58cff72fd85a100b9992c112":"60d0e447b627221e9d81b0da","56b4d34fe4b022697697c400":"60d2472d9340d7032ad7e443","60b8e4c0c5449357a7ad957d":"60e869dc7c5f3b17b6741b81"}},"connatixConfigValues":{"defaultPlayer":"ff7fdddc-5441-4253-abc4-f12a33fad58b","clickToPlayPlayer":"d014396e-b366-4c17-aeac-3ce906fa3fd0","videoPagePlayer":"f010447b-d244-4111-a314-7b4542ae4145","verticalPlayer":"e58cb05a-0bc8-4210-9108-fea82726c065","stickyPlayerControl":"52ea1755-d601-4ad1-bccc-d8cce3f0e5da","stickyPlayerON":"8055e9e5-3bda-4933-8d45-9ad814fb6e22"},"topConnatixThumnbailSrc":"https://img.connatix.com/b6ec2a72-73f4-4a5c-8c28-42462d6b2597/1_th.jpg?crop=480:270,smart&width=480&height=270&format=jpeg&quality=60&fit=crop","customAmpComponents":[],"ampAssetsUrl":"https://amp.assets.huffpost.com","videoTraits":null,"positionInUnitCounts":{"buzz_head":{"count":0},"buzz_body":{"count":0},"buzz_bottom":{"count":0}},"positionInSubUnitCounts":{"article_body":{"count":9},"blog_summary":{"count":0},"before_you_go_content":{"count":0}},"connatixCountsHelper":{"count":1},"buzzfeedTracking":{"context_page_id":"5c990a30e4b01ebeef12a217","context_page_type":"buzz","destination":"huffpost","mode":"mobile","page_edition":"en-us"},"tags":[{"name":"stormy daniels","slug":"stormy-daniels","links":{"relativeLink":"topic/stormy-daniels","permalink":"https://action.news/topic/stormy-daniels","mobileWebLink":"https://action.news/topic/stormy-daniels"},"relegenceId":3782744,"department":{"name":"Latest News","slug":"politics-news"},"section":{"title":"Politics","slug":"politics"},"topic":{"title":"Stormy Daniels","slug":"stormy-daniels","overridesSectionLabel":false},"url":"https://action.news/news/topic/stormy-daniels"},{"name":"michael avenatti","slug":"michael-avenatti","links":{"relativeLink":"topic/michael-avenatti","permalink":"https://action.news/topic/michael-avenatti","mobileWebLink":"https://action.news/topic/michael-avenatti"},"department":{"name":"Latest News","slug":"politics-news"},"section":{"title":"Politics","slug":"politics"},"topic":{"title":"Michael Avenatti","slug":"michael-avenatti","overridesSectionLabel":false},"url":"https://action.news/news/topic/michael-avenatti"},{"name":"United States Attorney","slug":"united-states-attorney","links":{"relativeLink":"topic/united-states-attorney","permalink":"https://action.news/topic/united-states-attorney","mobileWebLink":"https://action.news/topic/united-states-attorney"},"relegenceId":3604053,"url":"https://action.news/topic/united-states-attorney"},{"name":"Nike, Inc.","slug":"nike-inc","links":{"relativeLink":"topic/nike-inc","permalink":"https://action.news/topic/nike-inc","mobileWebLink":"https://action.news/topic/nike-inc"},"department":{"name":"Impact","slug":"impact"},"section":{"title":"Business","slug":"business"},"topic":{"title":"Nike","slug":"nike","overridesSectionLabel":false},"url":"https://action.news/impact/topic/nike"}],"isLiveblogLive":null,"isLiveblog":false,"cetUnit":"buzz_body","bodyAds":["

\r\n\r\n","

\r\n\r\n"],"adCount":0},"isCollectionEmbed":false,"enhancements":{}}">

My statement regarding my former attorney Mr. Avenatti.. pic.twitter.com/9aKYCPNN6y
Stormy Daniels (@StormyDaniels) March 25, 2019

Avenatti made headlines recently for claiming to have obtained VHS tapes from the late 1990s showing R&B singer R. Kelly sexually assaulting underage girls. The musician, whose real name is Robert Kelly, has faced numerous accusations of sexual abuse, many involving underage girls, over the last couple decades. He has vehemently denied the allegations.

Your Support Has Never Been More Critical

Other news outlets have retreated behind paywalls. At HuffPost, we believe journalism should be free for everyone.

Would you help us provide essential information to our readers during this critical time? We can't do it without you.

Can't afford to contribute? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.

You've supported HuffPost before, and we'll be honest we could use your help again . We view our mission to provide free, fair news as critically important in this crucial moment, and we can't do it without you.

Whether you give once or many more times, we appreciate your contribution to keeping our journalism free for all.

Whether you give just one more time or sign up again to contribute regularly, we appreciate you playing a part in keeping our journalism free for all.

Support HuffPost

This article has been updated with Avenattis March 26 tweet and information about Avenattis release.