He’s not a presidential candidate, it’s a joke. But he wanted to be. And now there’s a new report of accusations of embezzlement from an NBA player?!
From the Hill:
Attorney Michael Avenatti in 2017 embezzled $1.5 million from NBA player Hassan Whiteside, the Los Angeles Times reported Sunday.
The Times, citing bank rounds and an indictment brought against Avenatti, reported that in 2017 Whiteside — who plays for the Miami Heat — wired Avenatti $2.75 million and intended for his former girlfriend, Alexis Gardner, to get most of the money.
SO what happened was:
Avenatti was entitled to slightly more than $1 million in fees as part of the deal, according to the Times. But prosecutors say he instead hid the money from Garnder, took $2.5 million and put it toward a private jet, the Times reported.
“We entered into a mutually agreed upon settlement more than two years ago following the end of our relationship; a settlement that reflected Alexis’ investment of time and support over a number of years as Hassan pursued a career in the NBA,” Whiteside and Gardner told the Times in a statement.
“It is unfortunate that something that was meant to be kept private between us is now being publicly reported,” they continued. “We have both moved on amicably and wish nothing but the best for each other.”
Avenatti told The Hill in an email that “there was never any embezzlement of any monies.”
I mean, look, even if I were inclined to believe Avenatti, which I’m certainly NOT, WHY would you believe him after ALL the other shady crap in his life? He’s a crook and a shyster and will likely spend decades in prison.
Let’s hope he wins the presidential nomination.