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Michael Abenatti, the once incredible celebrity lawyer who represented adult film star Stormy Daniels in his court battle with President Trump, replied 11 years in prison on Thursday for dodging taxes and stealing millions of dollars from clients.
US District Judge James V. Cerna praised Abenatti for 135 months (ent for just over 11 years) and for 40 months he served in prison for stealing nearly $300,000 from Daniels’ advance on a prison contract. It led his sentence to nearly eight years.
“Abenatti has done many noble and good things in his life, some reflecting in this case, but he also did a great evil that he has to answer,” Serna said. “His actions in this case illustrate the abandonment of some of the most fundamental principles of fairness.”
Avenatti pleaded guilty in June 2022 to four wire frauds for stealing money from clients and four wire frauds that blocked the collection of payroll taxes from the Seattle coffee business.
One of his stolen clients, Jeffrey Ernest Johnson, was a mentally ill paraplegic about a disability. Cerna ordered Abenatti on Thursday to pay at least 10 victims, including the Internal Revenue Service and California’s state laws, about $9 million in reparations.
Abenatti, who appeared in Santa Ana’s courtroom wearing a gray sweatshirt and sweatpants, was sentenced to 14 years in 2022. After he sued the sentence, the 9th U.S. Circuit ordered a new hearing. The 9th Circuit found that the judge was based on his decision on calculating losses greater than the victims he actually suffered, and gave Abenatti a sentence that was too harsh.
Prosecutors have been asking for a small amount in prison for over 13 years. Abenatti had requested more than three.
Prior to the Santa Ana’s federal court hearing, Cerna issued a 10-year interim ruling, citing Abenatti’s work supporting fellow prisoners in prison, including suicide clock buddies and individualized guidance.
However, prosecutor Brett Sagel argued that Abenatti was the same person he stole from his client, calling the judge’s proposed sentence “unjust.”
“He is the same unrepentant person who can say anything, anything, whether true or not, if it benefits him,” Sagel said. “He hasn’t changed at least.”
Margaret Farrand, Avenatti’s federal public defense attorney, said from the beginning of his career that Avenatti “has a part of him trying to make the world a better place and he’s not doing it for the money.”
“This is part of who he is, it’s part of what he is, someone with a good heart and wants to help the world in some way,” Farlan said. While in prison, his actions show that “this is part of the person he wants to continue.”
Serna initially proposed a sentence that was shorter than his final sentence, but he was particularly shaken up by Alexis Gardner, one of Abenatti’s former clients.
Abenatti admitted that Gardner’s former boyfriend and professional basketball player Hassan Whiteside had agreed to pay Gardner at the Miami Heat to avoid potential lawsuits, a $2.75 million settlement. Abenatti, who drove a Ferrari during his crime, used most of the money to buy a private jet.
Gardner was shaking as he stood in front of Cerna.
“Eight years ago, I was hoping for a life-changing village that gave me the opportunity to be safe and build my future,” Gardner said. “Instead, Mr Abenatti misused my funds and determined my destiny without my consent based on the choices he made.”
Gardner called Abenatti a “legal predator” and said that if it wasn’t for him, she would be a homeowner, own a car and save.
“This is the person who looked at my eyes and said they were protecting me,” she said. “I think you should give him what you can bestow on him, as you protect those who are not ready to fight these legal battles.”
When he addressed the court, Abenatti said, “I would do that.”
“What I can do is try to move forward positively. That’s what I tried to do. That’s what I’m trying to do,” he said.
After the hearing, Sagel told reporters he believes Avenatti should get more time, but “but clearly an 11-year equivalent on fraud issues is an important ruling.”
“I’m sure he doesn’t see this as a victory and he’s got double digits in prison,” Sagel said.
It is unclear exactly when Abenatti will be released from prison.
After Serna passed the verdict, Abenatti appeared to let someone in the crowd know that another legal action was coming.
“We’re back,” he said.
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