Michael Avenatti Found Guilty For Trying to Extort Nike, GOP Reacts: “Happy Valentines Day To Bubba On Cell Block D”

[Image source: Fox News, TMZ, CNN video screenshots. Swamp Drain compilation].

Posted By: Lindsey Michelle February 14, 2020

Former liberal media darling and frequent CNN guest Michael Avenatti won’t be offering anti-Trump talking points on cable news anytime soon after the disgraced lawyer on Friday was found guilty of trying to extort Nike. Brian Stelter and Joy Behar thought he could run for president in 2020. Now he’s going to jail, reported Fox News.

Avenatti was found guilty on Friday on all three charges in connection to accusations that he attempted to extort up to $25 million from Nike. A New York federal jury found Avenatti guilty on three counts, including extortion, wire fraud, and transmission of interstate communications with intent to extort. Avenatti’s sentencing is scheduled for June 17, 2020, and faces up to 42 years in prison.

From Fox 10 Phoenix:

Avenatti, 48, who did not testify in the case against him, pleaded not guilty to charges alleging that he tried to extort up to $25 million from Nike by threatening to expose corruption at the sports footwear company unless he was allowed to conduct an internal probe of Nike.

During the jury’s decision Friday, Avenatti was seen in court blessing himself before the verdict was read. He looked straight ahead with a sad expression. After the jury read the verdict, his lawyer put his hand on Avenatti’s shoulder.

Avenatti’s defense lawyer, Danya Perry, told reporters Friday that he will appeal on the basis of jury instructions and that Avenatti was “very disappointed” with the verdict. (Continued Below)

“We stand by our client and we’ll just look forward to the next phase,” Avenatti’s Perry said on Friday. “He is a fighter, as you all know. And he’s staying strong.”

Asked what his reaction is to the verdict, Perry replied, “I think he’s in a bit of a state of shock, but he’s already strategizing and thinking forward to the next stage of this.”

When asked what is the next stage, Avenatti’s defense lawyer, Scott Srebnick, said, “Well, the next stage is sentencing and appeal. He has two other cases, but Avenatti’s, Avenatti. He’s a strong guy and obviously he’s disappointed, but he’s a fighter.” (Video Below)

Fox 10 Phoenix reports and Michael Avenatti’s defense lawyers respond:

We leave you with a few responses on Twitter from conservatives:

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Back in 2018, a Media Research Center study revealed that Avenatti, who represented a porn star in a lawsuit against President Trump, appeared on CNN a whopping 74 times over a 10-week period and the network’s in-house media critic famously declared the now-disgraced porn lawyer was a legitimate threat to challenge Trump in the 2020 presidential election, reported Fox News.

Stelter told Avenatti on air, “Looking ahead to 2020, one of the reasons why I’m taking you seriously as a [2020 presidential] contender is because of your presence on cable news.”