Avenatti pleads not guilty to fraud

NEW YORK (FOX 5 NY) - The embattled attorney Michael Avenatti pleaded not guilty to accusations that he defrauded his most famous client, porn star Stormy Daniels.

Avenatti appeared before a federal judge in New York on Tuesday on charges of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. He is accused of stealing nearly $300,000 from Daniels.

He rose to fame representing the former adult actress in her battle to be released from a nondisclosure deal she'd signed regarding an alleged affair with President Donald Trump.

The judge set bail in this case at $300,000. Avenatti agreed to not have any contact with Daniels for the duration of the case.

A few hours later, Avenatti was arraigned on charges that he tried to extort up to $25 million from athletic apparel giant Nike. Avenatti had allegedly threatened to expose claims that Nike paid off high school basketball players to influence them to Nike-sponsored colleges.

In answer to each of four extortion counts, Avenatti proclaimed "100% not guilty" in court.

Avenatti repeatedly has denied any wrongdoing.

"I am now facing the fight of my life against the ultimate Goliath, the Trump administration," he said. "I look forward to a jury verdict in each of these cases. I am confident that when a jury of my peers passes judgment on my conduct, that justice will be done, and I will be fully exonerated."

Avenatti is scheduled to return to court in both cases on June 18.

With the Associated Press