Michael Avenatti was at least $15M in debt during Nike extortion case, prosecutors say

Attorney Michael Avenatti was completely underwater with personal debt in the time frame during which he was accused by Nike of trying to extort $25 million.

Avenatti, 48, has been accused of trying to extort Nike by demanding $25 million for him and his client in exchange for his silence about alleged illegal branding deals. Nike maintains that there were no such deals taking place and turned Avenatti in to the authorities for attempted extortion.

The attorney, who became a household name while representing pornographic actress Stormy Daniels, pleaded not guilty, triggering a trial that will take place on Jan. 22. During a pretrial hearing to decide which evidence the jury can see, prosecutors claimed that Avenatti owed “conservatively, in excess of $15 million” to former clients, law partners, attorneys, and his ex-wife for spousal and child support.

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