Lawyer Michael Avenatti no longer defending Stormy Daniels
Adult film actress Stormy Daniels and her lawyer Michael Avenatti speak to the media as they exit the US District Court Southern District of New York in New York City on April 16, 2018. Daniels, who claims to have had an affair with US President Donald Trump, announced on March 12, 2019, that Avenatti will no longer be her lawyer. PHOTO | DREW ANGERER | AFP
What you need to know:
- Daniels claims to have had a sexual encounter with Trump at a celebrity golf tournament in Lake Tahoe in 2006.
- Trump's disgraced former attorney Michael Cohen told lawmakers in public testimony last month that he paid $130,000 to Daniels shortly before the 2016 presidential election to silence her.
Washington,
US adult film star Stormy Daniels, who is locked in a legal battle with President Donald Trump over a non-disclosure agreement, said Tuesday she was dropping attorney Michael Avenatti.
"I have retained Clark Brewster as my personal lawyer and have asked him and his firm to review all legal matters involving me," tweeted Daniels -- real name Stephanie Clifford, 39.
"Upon completion of Mr. Brewster's review and further consultation with me, I anticipate Mr. Brewster will serve as my primary counsel on all legal issues."
Avenatti, meanwhile, posted a statement saying he and his one-time client had parted ways on February 19 "for various reasons that we cannot disclose publicly due to the attorney-client privilege."
CONSULTATION
"This was not a decision we made lightly and it came only after lengthy discussion, thought and deliberation, as well as consultation with other professionals," Avenatti said.
"We wish Stormy all the best."
Avenatti indicated that it was his law firm that informed Daniels it was terminating legal representation of her.
Daniels claims to have had a sexual encounter with Trump at a celebrity golf tournament in Lake Tahoe in 2006, shortly after Trump's wife Melania had given birth to their son, Barron.
Trump's disgraced former attorney Michael Cohen told lawmakers in public testimony last month that he paid $130,000 to Daniels shortly before the 2016 presidential election to silence her about the encounter.
