On Monday a California judge ruled that attorney Michael Avenatti, who represents adult-film actress Stormy Daniels, must pay $4.85 million to an attorney who worked at his former law firm. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Dennis Landin ruled that Avenatti personally guaranteed a settlement with attorney Jason Frank, who said Eagan Avenatti misstated its profits and that he was owed millions of dollars. Frank had worked at Avenatti’s former firm under an independent contractor agreement and was supposed to collect 25 percent of its annual profits, along with 20 percent of fees his clients paid, court documents say.
Mr. Avenatt is best known for representing Daniels in her lawsuit against President Donald Trump following an alleged 2006 affair. The attorney did not appear at Monday’s hearing and never filed arguments in the case. Additionally, Avenatti is toying with a possible 2020 presidential run.
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