Disgraced lawyer Michael Avenatti has been resentenced to 95 months in prison for financial fraud, a reduction from his original 14-year sentence that was deemed too harsh by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Avenatti, who gained fame representing Stormy Daniels against President Donald Trump, had his conviction upheld but the sentence adjusted following a review of the case. The new sentence means he will be released in the middle of 2029.
The original 14-year sentence was initially handed down after Avenatti pleaded guilty in 2022 to four counts of wire fraud and one count of obstructing IRS administration for stealing settlement money from multiple clients. However, the court vacated the sentence in October 2023, finding that the initial punishment was based on an overestimation of the financial loss to his victims. As a result, U.S. District Judge James Selna resentenced Avenatti to 135 months, minus 40 months already served for a separate Stormy Daniels case, for a total of 95 months. This change means Avenatti will be released in the middle of 2029, with the court considering the similar nature of his Stormy Daniels case in determining his release date.
Avenatti, who was suspended from practicing law in California, has been representing himself in court and is currently incarcerated. His initial release date was set for July 31, 2035, but he requested a shorter sentence to be released in a few years. Prosecutors had asked for a sentence of only a few months less than the original 14-year term, but the court deemed the reduced sentence appropriate given the circumstances. Avenatti’s appeals have been supported by arguments that he has undergone personal transformation during his imprisonment, including participating in drug abuse programs, regularly attending AA meetings, and volunteering in the prison library to assist academically challenged inmates with legal matters.
Authorities have stated that Avenatti negotiated and collected settlement payments on behalf of his clients, then funneled the money to accounts he controlled and spent it on his own lavish lifestyle. The case is separate from Avenatti’s other convictions for attempting to extort Nike and stealing money from Daniels, which have been upheld. His attempts to get those convictions and sentences overturned on appeal have all failed. This case is also separate from the Stormy Daniels case, where he stole money from Daniels, which is currently under investigation.
The resentencing hearing took place amid heightened security measures due to recent riots in Los Angeles. The courthouse was boarded up, and some windows had cracks seemingly from rocks due to the violence. Avenatti’s resentencing followed a heavy presence of the National Guard outside the courthouse, highlighting the ongoing instability in the city. Despite these tensions, the court proceeded with the resentencing hearing on Thursday, with Avenatti’s legal team presenting his case for a more lenient sentence.