Michael Avenatti is now a free man ... well, more free than he was yesterday.
According to CNN, the disgraced celebrity attorney was released from a New York federal jail early Friday over fears of coronavirus. Avenatti—best known for representing adult film actress Stormy Daniels—was granted temporarily release earlier this month after his legal team claimed he was at high-risk of catching COVID-19 because he contracted pneumonia in 2019. The lawyer was required to complete a 14-day quarantine at the facility before he could fly to California, where he will serve three months of home confinement at a friend's residence. Once the 90 days are up, he is required to return to Metropolitan Correctional Center in Manhattan.
"We're really gratified that the judge took the action that he did. He recognized the seriousness of the situation. Unfortunately, there are a lot courts across the country that have not. We're fortunate," Avenatti's attorney, Dean Steward, told CNN.
The judge ordered Avenatti to wear an ankle bracelet during his temporary release, and prohibited him from leaving the house (with the exception of medical emergencies) or engage in any financial transactions worth more than $500. He is also barred from using the internet.
The 49-year-old was awaiting sentencing for allegedly trying to extort $25 million from Nike. He is also accused of committing tax fraud and stealing millions of dollars from his clients, including Daniels who claims Avenatti scammed her out of $300,000. His sentencing trial for the extortion charges will take place in June.
