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Michael Avenati, a former Stormy Daniels lawyer and porn star, pleaded guilty to five criminal charges in federal court on Thursday.
Avenati pleaded guilty to four counts of physical fraud from customer fraud, as well as one charge related to taxes during a court hearing in Santa Ana, California. He faces a maximum sentence of 83 years in prison.
The lawyer, who is being represented, failed to reach an agreement with federal prosecutors earlier in the week, but decided to change his plea in an attempt to find someone responsible and avoid further inconvenience to his family.
He acknowledged that he had hampered and hindered the Internal Revenue Service’s efforts to collect unpaid $ 5 million in payroll taxes.
MICHAEL AVENATI PLEADS CONVICTED IN OTHER CRIMINAL CASES
Adult film actress Stormy Daniels, left, stands with her lawyer, Michael Avenati, during a news conference. (AP Photo / Mary Altaffer, File)
In addition to the five criminal charges on which Avenati pleaded guilty on Thursday, he could also face an additional 31 charges, depending on whether the government wants to prosecute them. The decision on the remaining 31 points is expected next week.
Avenati’s sentencing date will be mid-September if the government decides not to pursue the remaining 31 points.
He will be forced to pay fines of more than $ 1 million and restitution, which the government says is $ 14 million.
The hearing was adjourned Thursday morning while Avenati met with his appointed lawyer, after which he told the judge he was “ready to plead guilty to five counts this morning”.
MICHAEL AVENATE, THE STORM DANIELS WERE DISTRIBUTED BY THE MEDIA AS THE FALL OF Trump BEFORE LEGISLATIVE PROBLEMS
Michael Avenati, a lawyer for porn actress Stormy Daniels, talks to reporters outside the federal court in Los Angeles on Tuesday, January 22, 2019. A federal judge seems willing to dismiss a lawsuit against President Donald Trump from Daniels seeking to break a secret agreement on their alleged affair. Avenati says the case should continue because he wants to take sworn statements from Trump and Cohen. He plans to seek legal fees. (AP Photo / Brian Melley)
Avenati is serving five years in a federal prison in California for two sentences handed down in New York in connection with the theft of income from books by Daniels.
He was also convicted of attempting to blackmail Nike if he was not paid up to $ 25 million.
In a previous application on June 12, Avenati’s lawyer said a plea agreement could not be reached with the government.
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“Despite repeated efforts over the past year by Mr. Avenati and his lawyer, including significant efforts over the past 30 days, the defendant has failed to reach a plea agreement with the government,” Avenati’s lawyer said. “Mr Avenati wants to plead to be responsible; to avoid further burdening his former clients; to save the judiciary and the government significant resources; and to save his family from further embarrassment. ”
Avenati has been removed from the California Bar.
The Associated Press and Ross Lee and Bradford Betz of Fox News contributed to this report.
Adam Sabes is a writer for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to Adam.Sabes@fox.com and Twitter @ asabes10.
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