Well this is very interesting. It appears Michael Avennati, the lawyer for Porny Daniels, has chosen publicity over representing his client in the Michael Cohen case:
THE HILL – Michael Avenatti has withdrawn his request to represent adult-film star Stormy Daniels in the case centered on the FBI raid of President Trump’s attorney Michael Cohen.
Shortly after a conference hearing Wednesday in a federal district court in Manhattan, Avenatti withdrew his request to weigh in on the case.
Cohen is reportedly being investigated, among other things, for the $130,000 he paid Daniels ahead of the 2016 presidential election to keep quiet about the affair she says she had with Trump.
Avenatti reportedly faced tough questions during the hearing from federal District Judge Kimba Wood, who told him in court on Wednesday he would have to stop his “publicity tour” if he wanted to participate in the case.
Wood reprimanded Avenatti in court, according to multiple media reports.
“You cannot declare your opinion as to Mr. Cohen’s guilt, which you did. You would not be able to give publicity to documents,” Wood said, according to the New York Daily News.
“You’re entitled to publicity. I can’t stop you — unless you’re participating in a matter before me.”
Here’s more of what the judge said:
Judge Kimba Wood told Michael Avenatti either you motion to intervene or you don’t. If you do, “you would have to stop on its tracks your publicity tour on television and elsewhere.”
— David P Gelles (@gelles) May 30, 2018
Wow, Stormy Daniels’ lawyer took a major beating in court today: Judge Wood won’t let him appear provisionally before her just yet.
— Cristian Farias (@cristianafarias) May 30, 2018
And then alluding to his thing for “publicity tours,” she told him this: “You will not be permitted to use this court as a platform for anything.”
Michael Avenatti just withdrew his motion to appear before a New York court on the Michael Cohen case. Judge came down hard on him this morning. Saying if he wanted a seat at the table he would need to stop his publicity tour.
— Shimon Prokupecz (@ShimonPro) May 30, 2018
Wow. As one criminal defense attorney put it…
Appropriate. Avenatti has convicted Cohen in court of public opinion before he’s even indicted in court of law. His publicity tour is dangerous and prejudicial to Cohen and his right to fair defense. Judge: choose your seat.
— Sara Azari (@azarilaw) May 30, 2018
BOOM!
Exit question: How long before Avenatti threatens to sue this judge? LOL!