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Yesterday afternoon Stomi Daniels’ former lawyer and noted Trump critic Michael Avenatti was arrested for allegedly attempting to extort Nike for $20 million by threatening to release “damaging” information if he didn’t get paid.
BREAKING: Federal prosecutors in New York announce the arrest of Michael Avenatti on charges related to alleged $20 million extortion scheme targeting Nike. https://t.co/rAIUb7UPbf pic.twitter.com/aXbfTDBPrB
— ABC News (@ABC) March 25, 2019
Nike releases statement on the Michael Avenatti extortion allegations: https://t.co/SjbcznUcjq pic.twitter.com/VbrZ9iXz8z
— Complex Sneakers (@ComplexSneakers) March 25, 2019
Avennati was released on bail late into the night and he proclaimed his innocence during a press conference.
“I will be fully exonerated and justice will be done.” Michael Avenatti, former lawyer to Stormy Daniels, claimed his innocence just moments after leaving a federal courthouse where he was charged today with trying to extort $20+ million from Nike. https://t.co/L2hzs1IspI pic.twitter.com/UchcSSxxcj
— Anderson Cooper 360° (@AC360) March 26, 2019
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 Nike’s crime & coverup.
— Michael Avenatti (@MichaelAvenatti) March 26, 2019
Avennati went on to release the information that he had against Nike claiming that both Deandre Ayton and Bol Bol took money from the shoe company while in college.
Contrary to Nike’s claims yesterday, they have NOT been cooperating with investigators for over a year. Unless you count lying in response to subpoenas and withholding documents as “cooperating.” They are trying to divert attention from their own crimes.https://t.co/chJEhbsxTH
— Michael Avenatti (@MichaelAvenatti) March 26, 2019
Ask DeAndre Ayton and Nike about the cash payments to his mother and others. Nike’s 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
The corruption at Nike was rampant with Merl Code and increased with his apprentice DeBose after Code left for Adiddas. Those above DeBose knew all about the payments. Nike conspired to route many of the payments through a convicted felon. Nike then lied to the government.
— Michael Avenatti (@MichaelAvenatti) March 26, 2019
Bol Bol and his handlers also received large sums from Nike. The receipts are clear as day. A lot of people at Nike will have to account for their criminal conduct, starting with Carlton DeBose & moving higher up. The diversion charade they orchestrated against me will be exposed
— Michael Avenatti (@MichaelAvenatti) March 26, 2019
If Nike was cooperating with the government for over a year relating to this scandal (they weren’t – this is a lie), where are the disclosures in their SEC filings? There are none. Wait until the SEC begins their investigation & starts asking why Nike hid this info from investors
— Michael Avenatti (@MichaelAvenatti) March 26, 2019
We’ll have to wait and see