The Supreme Court dismissed Michael Avenatti’s appeal concerning his 2020 conviction for attempting to extort up to $25 million from Nike.
In June 2022, Avenatti received a four-year prison term for embezzling book earnings from Stormy Daniels.
Subsequently, six months later, he was handed a 14-year sentence for defrauding clients of millions and evading taxes.
Avenatti made threats to disclose supposed proof of Nike providing illicit payments to high school basketball players unless they paid $1.5 million to a client and $15-25 million for an investigative project involving him and an associate.
Avenatti claimed he was in settlement talks on behalf of his client, an AAU basketball coach accusing Nike, although Nike refuted any wrongdoing.
This case, among others, led to Avenatti’s imprisonment, with the disgraced lawyer known for his involvement in high-profile legal disputes, including with former President Donald Trump and Stormy Daniels, receiving a 2½-year prison sentence for charges such as attempted extortion and fraud.
Avenatti’s public defender argued that his client abused his fiduciary duty by using the client to secure personal payment.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit disagreed, stating Avenatti prioritized his own interests over his client’s when seeking millions from Nike to avoid public action. The district judge observed Avenatti exploiting the client’s claim for personal gain.
Avenatti also claimed the charges of honest-services fraud against him were constitutionally unclear.
The Department of Justice affirmed that the law on honest-services fraud is clear and understandable, meeting the standard for preventing arbitrary enforcement.
The federal statutes on mail and wire fraud outline criminal activities involving schemes to deprive others of their honest services.
In a 2010 Supreme Court ruling, it was determined that the law encompasses bribery and kickback schemes, upholding its constitutionality.
Apart from the unsuccessful appeal in the extortion case, Avenatti has encountered legal issues beyond his prominent representation of Stormy Daniels in a lawsuit against Trump related to alleged efforts to silence her regarding their sexual encounter during his presidential campaign.
