Michael Avenatti Arrested On Suspicion Of Domestic Abuse
[guest post by Dana]
I wish I were surprised by certain events instead of just cynically nodding my head as if this were business as usual…
Michael Avenatti, attorney for porn actress Stormy Daniels, is alleged to have been involved in a domestic violence incident in Los Angeles:
Michael Avenatti, the lawyer for porn actress Stormy Daniels, has been arrested in Los Angeles on suspicion of domestic violence, police said.
The celebrity attorney was arrested around 2 p.m. Wednesday in the 10000 block of Santa Monica Boulevard based on allegations stemming from an incident that took place in West L.A. on Tuesday, said Officer Jeff Lee, a Los Angeles Police Department spokesman.
The allegations were made by a woman who had “visible injuries,” including bruises, according to a law enforcement official who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
Avenatti was released after posting $50,000 bond late Wednesday.
Avenatti, a self-described advocate for women, gave a statement to the press after his release:
“I wish to thank the hard working men and woman of the LAPD for their professionalism they were only doing their jobs in light of the completely bogus allegations against me,” a statement from his law office read. “I have never been physically abusive in my life nor was I last night. Any accusations to the contrary are fabricated and meant to do harm to my reputation. I look forward to being fully exonerated.”
“I have never struck a woman,” he said. “I will never strike a woman.”
Avenatti also spoke to reporters, saying he’s “not going to be intimidated from stopping what I am doing. I am a father to two beautiful, smart daughters. I would never disrespect them by touching a woman inappropriately or striking a woman.”
Avenatti is due in court on Dec. 5.
TMZ first reported the story, claiming that the alleged victim was the attorney’s estranged wife, Lisa Storie-Avenatti. However, Storie-Avenatti denies that it was her, and claims that she has never known Avenatti to be violent. The alleged victim has not been identified.
It’s tempting to joke about this because Avenatti. But there remains the possibility that a woman has been physically injured by him. (LAPD would not confirm if the woman suffered any injuries.) In the same way, a false allegation made against any man is no laughing matter.
He can say he’s an advocate for women all he wants but the bottom line is that he’s saying the woman accusing him is not telling the truth and shouldn’t be believed. That’s a contradiction he should be asked about the next 12 times he’s on CNN.
Avenatti, who has flirted with the idea of running for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination, might want to rethink it:
It has been widely reported by ABC News and other outlets that Michael Avenatti has been arrested in Los Angeles, California on charges of suspected felony domestic violence,” the party’s Communication’s Director R. Christopher Di Mezzo told The Hill in a statement.
“The Vermont Democratic Party has cancelled Mr. Avenatti’s forthcoming scheduled appearances in Vermont, and will be refunding all ticket sales.”
–Dana