Photo of Michel Avenatti's accuser surfaces

[Yosemito]

Marieli Miniutti, born in the former Soviet republic of Estonia, is the person who accused Michael Avenatti of physically assaulting her.

https://www.newsweek.com/who-mareli-miniutti-actor-files-restraining-order-against-michael-avenatti-1223846

[Freethinker65]

1. Hmmm

[Stinky The Clown]

2. Oh. That's not :cough:Buttina:cough: too suspicious.

[malaise]

6. Three from three

Just saying

[jberryhill]

10. It was very clever to have her start dating him in October 2017

Amazing that they were able to predict months in advance that he'd be representing Stormy Daniels. That is some sophisticated spycraft there.

[Codeine]

32. International four-dimensional chess

played out over years is somehow more believable than garden-variety domestic violence.

[Dorian Gray]

47. Right...

Before her name and accusation surfaced. I thought it could potentially possibly maybe be a Wohl thing. But with a name and a restraining order and an actual accuser, it's not looking great for him.

[jberryhill]

58. He'll be fine

The argument was about him not keeping up on payments for her, uh, upkeep.

If he’s got some jingle left in the piggy bank, this will get sorted promptly.

[Dorian Gray]

63. That speaks positively

of his character.

[Cattledog]

3. Russian...interesting

[Brother Buzz]

9. Estonians would disagree

Any Estonian on the street will tell you they were occupied by the USSR, but NEVER part of Russia. They despised the Fat Pig Russian bureaucrats that were appointed to subjugate them.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

16. Yes. There is a distinction.

Many residents of former Soviet republics will emphatically and rightfully reject the label of "Russian" as such a claim pretty much denies their own culture and history.

The fact that this woman is Estonian is neither here nor there as it relates to anything Russia.

[JonLP24]

23. What about ethnic Russians?

Wouldnt they still consider themselves citizens of Estonia but also Russian identity ?

[Tommy_Carcetti]

26. That's true as well.

The former Soviet Union is a very complicated morass in terms of ethnicity, culture and history.

[tavernier]

29. However there are Russian- Estonians

as the Russians occupied all the Baltic nations after the war, and many children of Russian soldiers’ families were born and raised in one of the Baltic nations. The intention was to obliviate the history and language of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.

Being Latvian, I can instantly detect by the last name whether the person is Latvian or Russian, but I don’t speak Estonian. My guess would be though, that hers is an Estonian name.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

27. If she's Estonian she's probably not fond of Russia or Russians

so that's probably not relevant.

[Celerity]

40. She isn't Russian. Ethnic Estonians are some of the most anti Russian

people you will ever meet. The Russians killed thousands during their occupation of the country. Estonians, ethnically and language wise are very similar to Finns.

[TruckFump]

4. More

Link contains snips of her DVRO application:

[link:https://theblast.com/michael-avenatti-mariel-miniutti-restraining-order-details/|

I am wondering who her atty is -- that most certainly was not done by a pro per petitioner.

[jberryhill]

8. Estonia has its own language, culture, and has been independent since 1991

i.e. her entire life.

[JonLP24]

13. Estonia is no friend of Russia

I'm surprised to see someone using their head on this topic.

[Kaleva]

19. OP made that up for some unkown reason. Linked article says she is from Estonia.

Every article I've been able to find about her she's in her twenties and was born in Estonia.

[muriel_volestrangler]

7. Link doesn't work - 'page not found' (nt)

[oberliner]

11. "He Violently Dragged Me Out of Bed, Called Me a F*cking B*tch"

LOS ANGELES—Stormy Daniels’ lawyer Michael Avenatti violently dragged his ex-girlfriend out of his apartment and called her an “ungrateful bitch,” according to court documents.

Mareli Miniutti also claimed that Avenatti hit her in the face with pillows while he berated her and ranted about how she had disrespected him.

The 24-year-old actress was granted a temporary restraining order, pending a court hearing on December 10, against Avenatti, 47, on Monday. Avenatti was arrested on domestic violence charges related to the alleged incident last week.

https://www.thedailybeast.com/avenattis-ex-girlfriend-mareli-miniutti-he-violently-dragged-me-out-of-bed-called-me-a-fcking-btch

[davsand]

12. "...hit her in the face with pillows..."

I'm having problems with this one. An abusive pillow fight?

I dunno. Sounds off to me.






Laura

[oberliner]

14. ABC News has obtained the declaration of Mareli Miniutti

ABC News has obtained the declaration of Mareli Miniutti, the woman who has accused @MichaelAvenatti of domestic violence. She reveals she had been dating Avenatti since October 2017 and the relationship ended on November 13, 2018- the night of the alleged abuse.

Miniutti says the night of 11/13, she and Avenatti argued about money, he began to berate her and call her names, then began to forcefully hit her in the face with pillows and said to the effect, "Do not disrespect me," upon which he tried to drag her from the bed by her wrists.

At one point, Miniutti says she "screamed for help towards the nearby window." She claims @MichaelAvenatti dragged her on the floor of the apartment and out the door into the public hallway; wearing only her t-shirt and underwear, she rang a neighbors doorbell for help.

According to her declaration, Miniutti says @michaelavenatti dragged her back into the apartment. Eventually, she says she was able to escape to the service elevator. The two rode the elevator down to ground floor when she says Avenatti begged "don't do this, don't involve them."

The complaining witness says this isn't the first time @MichaelAvenatti was physically violent with her. She cites another time in February 2018. She ends her declaration: "I continue to be afraid of Respondent and do not want him to contact me."

https://twitter.com/KaitlynFolmer

[aikoaiko]

15. I believe its possible.

Pillows leave no marks, but you can still transfer quite a bit of energy to internal organs.

[Kaleva]

17. LAPD said the victim showed signs of physical injury

[Codeine]

20. Then dragged her her through the apartment

and dumped her in the hallway.

Not sure why everyone is so desperate to minimize physical abuse.

[Drahthaardogs]

25. Because first it was reported she "had bruises on her face"

And now it's a pillow fight.

You know when you interrogate a witness and their story changes you start to worry.

[Kaleva]

36. The police never did specify what the injuries were.

"You know when you interrogate a witness and their story changes you start to worry."

Until today, we never knew her story.

What can one say about the folks who jumped on the earlier, unsubtatiated repoets in the media but "God Bless 'Em!".

[Yosemito]

37. If she shows no marks, her case is doomed

And TMZ gets sued.

[Kaleva]

39. The police already said she showed signs of physical injury. That's already documented.

That's why Avenantti was arrested for felony (and not misdemenor) domestic violence.

"Finally, most domestic violence criminal charges are considered to be misdemeanors, unless they involve serious injury or violence. However, in most states, a third domestic violence misdemeanor charge will often be counted as a felony due to the previous offenses."

https://www.legalmatch.com/law-library/article/felony-domestic-violence.html

[pnwmom]

61. But Avenatti says what she had was a rash, as a side effect of a med she was on.

And the rash wasn't on her face, as the initial report claimed.

So I think it's way too early to do anything but give Avenatti the benefit of the doubt.

[Kaleva]

65. Initial reports from the LAPD & the alleged victim never said anything about injuries to the face

"But Avenatti says what she had was a rash"

The LAPD said the victim showed signs of physical injures. They didn't say where the injuries were located nor did they say anything about a rash. I'm sure the LAPD knows the differance between a rash and physcial injures.

The alleged victim took pictures of the alleged injuries on her left side and leg and attached the photos as exhibits to her court filing requesting a temporary restraining order against Avenattii which was reviewed by a judge and granted.

[pnwmom]

42. Not sure why, in the face of so many falsehoods in the original story,

that people automatically believe everything that we hear now.

First it was the ex-wife Lisa. Then it was the other ex-wife. Now it's a 24 year old from Estonia. First it was facial injuries. Now it's scratches on the woman's side.

Forget it. I won't believe anything unless and until there's a trial. This is why we have "innocent till proven guilty."

[spin]

60. There are definitely times when our news media struggles to get the facts...

straight. It seems getting the story out as quickly as possible is the top priority.

[hedda_foil]

18. From Daily Beast post: he "dragged me out of bed."

The actress claimed the famous lawyer then “grabbed” her right wrist: “[He] attempted to pull me out of the bed, which caused pain to my arm and wrist. While attempting to pull me out of the bed, [he] slipped and lost his grip on me.”

Miniutti said she began to text a friend on her cell phone but Avenatti allegedly “yelled” at her, grabbed the phone and screamed “this is my phone!” before putting it in his pocket.

She added: “At all times, he remained very close to me such that I was afraid for my safety. I screamed for help towards the nearby window.”

At this point Miniutti—dressed in her underwear and a t-shirt—claims Avenatti grabbed her right arm and dragged her out of bed, along the floor of the apartment and out into the public hallway.

There's a lot of detail here, so it may well be true, but the dragging her out of bed part is just SO ripped from the Keith Ellison headlines.

[displacedtexan]

21. The argument over money was an alarm bell.

Any dating scenario that involves arguing over money seems pretty much doomed.

[lostnfound]

28. Reminds me of the claims of the Russian woman that accused Spitzer nt

[brush]

35. Dragged her out of bed, huh? Sounds quite Ellisonesque to me.

[Kaleva]

22. I don't see in the article where it says she was born in the former Soviet republic of Estonia

Every article I read about her says she is from Estonia and in her twenties making it most likely she was born in the Republic of Estonia.

[leftyladyfrommo]

24. This sounds so like something the Republicans would

do to squash an enemy. Just the kind of scenario they would come up with to destroy someone.

[Polybius]

66. But he dated her

Did Republicans set up the date with him, and then deep into the relationship she waits for the perfect time to say he beat her?

[Wash. state Desk Jet]

30. Throwing the shoe at her in the story she tells

seems to reflect somewhat on Chris Christie in a burst of anger throwing a bottle of bottled water at Bridget Ann Kelly because he thought she disrespected him. The George Washington Bridge-gate . The thing Christie never recovered from. What is 10 times harder than the discomfort the Avenaitti/ Daniels situation created for Trump or that which Trump created for himself. Are they sure Avenaitti will never recover ?


Will Miniutti get much television time with fox and friends/cnn/MSNBC/the BBC and Russia too ?

Will they pay her ?


Will they make a movie of her ? Big rising star.


Or will she fly off to Estonia when the going gets rough than ask who will pay for her return to finish it out and all expenses plus her time.


The timing on this invites suspicion and the time line even more. The real qusetion is, who wants the gain the most ? Does the number 10 factor in ?

[greyl]

31. "Surfaces"? She's had a damn IMDB page for years.

Shit headline.

[SoCalDem]

33. Oh my...the ego of a 47 yr old male resurfaces

I know he's an attractive man, but once again, "the little man in the pants" has apparently gotten another man in "trouble"..

Is Avenatti's middle name Icarus?

[Charlotte Little]

34. I'm going to say it

Why the hell is a nearly 48 year old man with a 24 year old woman?

Yes, I know it's been done since the dawn of time. But that doesn't make it any less gross and creepy. Like along the same lines of creepy as Trump and Melanoma.

I was already not a fan of Avenatti and I don't know who's telling the truth. But he should keep his dick out of 20-somethings and focus on paying his bills.

[Yosemito]

38. 24 year olds are not minors

Do you want the statutory age to be raised to 24?
She liked Avenatti. Is she creepy?

[Kaleva]

41. In a way, Avenattii is cut from the same cloth as Trump

Failed businesses, multiple marriages, apparent infidelity, has a die hard fan base, unfit to be president, loves to Tweet.

[Dorian Gray]

48. Yes

she's creepy for dating a creep that dates a woman 24 years his junior.

[Charlotte Little]

72. Yes, she is

When I was 27, I was banging a 37 year old. He had a lot of money and could buy me nice dinners and he drove a nice car. Thank god, I matured within a year and got out of that relationship. I was hot young thing to him and nothing more.

I was just as creepy as he was. And this chick is just as creepy as Avenatti is. JMHO.

[John Fante]

78. Ah, I see now, you're projecting.

Nothing to see folks. Move along.

[Charlotte Little]

87. Having an opinion that has formed based on past experience...

is now projection?

I guess I should only form opinions based on nothing. Interesting.

[OnDoutside]

79. If you were both free and available, there was nothing creepy about it, imo. My

36 year old nephew is dating a 24 year old, and he's a fantastic guy. There are a lot of shits in this world, there are plenty of decent people out there who just haven't met the right person.

[TexasBushwhacker]

44. Why?

Because when it comes to their dicks, MEN ARE STUPID!

[IluvPitties]

45. I am a guy who

in his late 20s had a bad crush with a female colleague who was in her 40s at the time. For different reasons, things could not go beyond what I think was mutual attraction. At the same time, I met another female colleague in her late 50s who was dating a 28 yr old guy at the time. Almost 10 years have passed, and they are still together.

Two consenting adults can make beatiful things happen, regardless of age.

[shanti]

50. Well

my 28 yr old son is married to a woman who's 44. i wasn't too pleased, but it's not my life. no grandchildren will be forthcoming from that union, but i'm not at all concerned, as he's not even close to being ready for fatherhood. she already has two children.

they've lasted over 2 years now, which is longer than I expected.

[Charlotte Little]

73. I'm not saying it doesn't work

Women and men go for younger partners. But in most cases, IMO, it is a recipe for sexual reasons, to have control over another person, and ultimately someone ditching the other. With that said, I don't think it is controversial that I'm giving this opinion anymore than it is that your son is married to a woman old enough to have given birth to him at age 16. I hope he and she are happy.

But it still isn't ideal for obvious reasons.

[Marrah_Goodman]

83. My boyfriend is 17 years my senior

We've been together 15 years and are very compatible. My daughter is 28 and is with a man who is 3 years younger then I. They have been together 5-6 years and are very happy together.

It all depends on the people involved.

I generally think if it is a wealthy old person and a broke younger person it is more likely not to work.

[Charlotte Little]

88. I agree with you

I wasn't speaking for every instance of this but didn't make sure to painstakingly clarify before giving my opinion. I live in Los Angeles. It is very common for young, hot women to date older rich men. My opinion is that it is creepy. I've experienced it myself at a time when I had low self esteem and enjoyed being treated like a side piece.

I don't know Avenatti, certainly, and I'll admit I'm not a fan. He's twice divorced and canoodling with 20 somethings. Creepy.

And with that...

[demmiblue]

46. With Avenatti, I believe it is a control issue. n/t

[TeamPooka]

53. I live in LA and there are guys here who 'really like' younger women and there are women here who

like older men, especially if they are on TV or in the movies and think they are a gateway to money and or fame.
There's a lot of both so plenty for everyone.

[Codeine]

56. Consenting adults.

Nobody’s fucking business what age people are as long as they’re legal and capable of consent.

Jeezus, this place is bending over backwards to excuse physical violence on one hand while jumping all over the guy for having a girlfriend younger than him. Weird.

[Charlotte Little]

74. I'm not excusing anything

So, you can sit your ass down.

Sorry you don't like my opinion, but thinking he is too old to be hitting 24 year-olds is not an outlandish opinion. And I never said, nor do I think, that she deserves to be treated violently. I'm simply making an observation.

[Ferrets are Cool]

81. Thank you for saying it

It's nobody's fucking business what age they are. Sheesh, as long as they are adults. It's as bad as a damn man trying to tell a woman what to do with her body.

[mr_lebowski]

57. I'm going to go out on a limb and say ... because ... he can?

There is a very firm and logical biological basis for this sort of relationship, whether we like admitting it or not. It's in our blood, our genetic heritage. That's 'why it's gone on for ages' ... many humans are wired this way.

Sorry it's so creepy to you.

[Dorian Gray]

64. OMG

that's the same argument that people give for being attracted to underage girls who aren't able to consent. The biological basis of the attraction.

If Avenatti and this woman had a healthy consensual relationship, then nobody would give a shit.

But she's either a liar or he's an abuser. So there is nothing healthy about THIS relationship, and his "genetic heritage" led him to her? Forgive me for not finding that normal or healthy.

[mr_lebowski]

69. Let's just agree to disagree ...

I have a very coldly scientific view on this particular subject, and because of that ... let's just say ... what ends up being perceived as 'my attitude about it' ... tends to 'rub women the wrong way'. Given that women do constitute a large % of the population here on DU, the vast majority of which I quite like and respect I might add ... and given that this conversation is public ... I'll respectfully bow out at this juncture.

But I just want to point out ... there's a difference between saying 'this is the scientific explanation for (initial something)' ... and 'therefore that scientific explanation provides a perfectly valid excuse in all cases of (anything similar to the initial something)'.

[Tarc]

67. This ignorant prudery is not welcome here

[Charlotte Little]

75. Well, take that up with the owners of DU - start a petition to end perceived prudery if you want.

And I laugh. If you knew me, you'd know I'm anything but a prude.

[Tarc]

84. Whatever you say, Andrea Dworkin

[Polybius]

71. It's the other way around

Why would a 24 year old date a 48 year old? Why wouldn't he? I'm a few years younger than him and I'm seeing a 28 year old. Not quite the same age difference but it's still 15 years. Not sure what she sees in me. She looks like Aaliyah.

[oberliner]

77. Not to mention the fact that both parties in question are married

(to other people)

[BlueStater]

43. I'll wait and see how this develops, that's all I can say. n/t

[LovingA2andMI]

55. Ditto....

However, its not looking all that well, so far. Avenatti needs to come with more proof against her claim and pointing to articles on the "Hill Reporter" ain't it.

[liberal N proud]

51. That doesn't raise any red flags

Nope, not at all.

Russian! Who would have expected that?

[dameatball]

52. The age difference has nothing to do with anything. He either did it or he didn't. Wait and see.

If you have ever been to any kind of racing or competitive sports in general.....sailing, powerboat, Grand Prix, Nascar, NBA, whatever,
there are often age differences between those involved, their fans and their significant others. That does not mean she is a gold digger or whatever. Does not mean he is an abuser either. We do not know that. This has nothing to do with whether an assault took place. Maybe it did and maybe it didn't. Let the chips fall.

If he is found guilty, so be it. Right now I have no idea. Most of us do not really know anything other than what we read on the internet.

I like Avenatti as a thorn in the side of the (lower case) president. Glad to have him. If he turns out to be something other than what he says he is....glad to see him leave.
We have bigger fish to fry.

[Ponietz]

54. If the alleged victim's statement was accurately reported by NBC

the hallway footage, if it exists, would condemn or exonerate Avenatti. A video camara in every hallway? Hotels, yes, but apartments? I don’t know. But there may be video of the parking lot, entrance and exit, that would show the alleged victim’s appearance and demeanor.

“Once he was successful in pulling her out of bed, he dragged her through the apartment and into the hallway, she said. But he pulled Miniutti back inside when she started ringing a neighbor’s doorbell.

“The actress said she was wearing underwear and a T-shirt during the altercation and was scratched in the process. Photos she submitted with her request show red marks on her skin.

Once she pulled on pants and got out of the apartment, Miniutti wrote that Avenatti followed her, saying, “Don’t do this ... don’t involve them.”



[link:https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/michael-avenatti-accuser-says-he-dragged-her-left-her-marks-n938656|

[Wash. state Desk Jet]

59. Trump smirks

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6412303/Trump-smirks-mention-Stormy-Daniels-lawyer-Michael-Avenattis-domestic-violence-arrest.html


Trump smirks at mention of Stormy Daniels lawyer Michael Avenatti's domestic violence arrest following live-in lover's claim he dragged her across the floor – and snarks to reporters: 'I wish him the best of luck!

[jcmaine72]

62. Fake news. I think she's full of it.

[LenaBaby61]

82. Fake news. I think she's full of it.

Yeah, I'm gonna WAIT and see what happens with this Avenatti situation.

TOO many people are plotting and trying to turn this country into the USSA. Too many people with nefarious intentions trying destroy it: tRump & putin, thuglicans and right-wingers. Few folks saw this coming, but Malcolm Nance did even before he wrote his book in 2016. Funny how you don't really see right-wingers taken to the wood-shed for domestic abuse via the corporate media. Look at Mormon asshole Rob Porter who was ALLOWED to stay in the White House longer than he should have after using his ex-wives as Everlast punching bags. That other old asshole I mean, how did he pass a security check? I guess everybody in tRumputin's big, crooked, ruskie-inspired orange house don't have to really worry about passing any type of background or security check or anything like that because the corporate media's too busy worried about Hillary's emails, or about Nancy Pelosi, or about how what happened was not a blue wave mid-term election when we know it was

Like I said, I'm gonna WAIT and see what happens with this Avenatti situation

Member this alleged ruskie "honey-pot" who was more than likely helping to funnel money and especially influence via the NRA and men associated with it in this country?

[HAB911]

68. We have to stop former USSR people from coming here

until we find out what the hell is going on!

[MineralMan]

70. Wow! Apples of Her Cheeks, Anyone?

Not a good angle for a photograph, really.

[oberliner]

76. Here's a better photo

?resize=1024%2C768&ssl=1

[MineralMan]

85. OK.

[John Fante]

80. Disappointed with the conspiracy theories being bandied about.

This woman has no connection to Russia in any way (she's Estonian), and Avanetti willingly dated her. Implying that she's a GOP plant is disrespectful given the gravity of the alleged crimes. This isn't fucking James Bond.

I'll admit that Jacob Wohl threw a lot of people off, but he's fast becoming the ISIS of snot-nosed right-wing dipshits - wanting to take credit for things he had nothing to do with. He's inconsequential to this story.

[oberliner]

86. Yeah, I agree

There is zero evidence that she is a "Russian plant" or anything of that nature, and I also agree with your other conclusions.