The U.S. Supreme Court has turned down Michael Avenatti's request to challenge his 2022 conviction, leaving the attorney's four-year prison term intact.
According to Reuters, this decision marks a continuation of legal troubles for Avenatti, reinforcing earlier court decisions against him.
Avenatti, the attorney who gained widespread attention for representing adult film actress Stormy Daniels in high-profile legal battles, had sought to overturn his conviction for identity theft. The case involved the misappropriation of approximately $300,000 in book proceeds intended for Daniels, whose legal name is Stephanie Clifford.
Details of the 2022 Identity Theft Case
In March, the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld Avenatti's conviction, leading him to appeal to the Supreme Court. This appeal argued that a 2023 Supreme Court decision had reduced the range of the aggravated identity theft statute, rendering the evidence against him insufficient. However, the nation's highest court declined his appeal on Tuesday.
Avenatti faced charges of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft after a jury trial in federal court in Manhattan. Evidence presented during the trial indicated that Avenatti directed an employee to forge Daniels' signature without her consent to misappropriate funds from her memoir, Full Disclosure.
The judge presiding over the trial condemned Avenatti's actions, characterizing them as "brazen and egregious." Despite these serious charges, Avenatti chose to represent himself throughout the duration of the trial, which lasted two weeks.
Avenatti's Previous Legal Challenges
This was not Avenatti's first attempt to contest his legal verdicts at the Supreme Court. Earlier in the year, he appealed to the court to reverse his conviction related to defrauding a youth basketball coach and attempting to extort sports apparel giant Nike. The Supreme Court dismissed this appeal in May.
In that separate case, Avenatti received a 2-1/2-year sentence, which is distinct from the four-year sentence he is currently serving for the identity theft conviction involving Daniels' book proceeds. These sentences reflect a pattern of fraudulent conduct for which Avenatti has now been held accountable.
The California-based lawyer was also sentenced to an additional 14 years in prison in 2022 after pleading guilty to charges involving the defrauding of four other clients. These cumulative legal troubles have started to define Avenatti's professional legacy.
Avenatti's Relationship with Stormy Daniels
Avenatti rose to prominence largely due to his legal representation of Stormy Daniels in her legal disputes with former President Donald Trump. Daniels alleged a sexual encounter with Trump in 2006, an encounter Trump has denied ever took place.
The controversy surrounding Daniels involved a substantial payment made shortly before the 2016 presidential election. Daniels received $130,000 in hush money from Trump’s former attorney, Michael Cohen. This payment was said to be part of efforts to silence reports of the alleged affair.
Subsequently, in May, Trump was convicted in a New York state court for falsifying business records to disguise the payment intended for Daniels.
Broader Legal and Political Implications
Though now overshadowed by his own legal controversies, Avenatti temporarily became a prominent figure in national news due to his representation of Daniels against a sitting president. This legal battle was one among several politically charged scandals involving Trump at the time.
The Daniels case contributed to a larger narrative of legal complications faced by Trump, who is presently the Republican candidate for the upcoming presidential election, set for November 5. This election will see him competing against Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris.
While Avenatti’s professional rise was meteoric and tied closely to national politics, his subsequent legal battles and convictions have underscored a dramatic fall from grace.
What Comes Next
The Supreme Court's refusal to hear Michael Avenatti's appeal against his 2022 conviction firmly upholds his four-year prison sentence for identity theft. This defendant, known for his role representing Daniels, faced allegations that he misappropriated book proceeds meant for his client.
Beyond this case, Avenatti's legal woes are extensive, including a separate conviction for extorting Nike and defrauding multiple clients. His recent appeals have been rejected, highlighting a trajectory of compounding legal issues.
In the landscape of Avenatti's legal achievements, his embroilment with high-profile clients like Daniels stands out, albeit overshadowed by his own convictions. These court proceedings and refusals to hear appeals underscore a pivotal chapter of justice and accountability in Avenatti's career.
