Trump foe Avenatti pleads not guilty to ripping off Stormy Daniels
NEW YORK, May 28 (Reuters) - Lawyer Michael Avenatti pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to charges that he stole from porn star Stormy Daniels, the client who propelled him to fame as an outspoken adversary of U.S. President Donald Trump.
Avenatti's attorney Sylvie Levine entered the plea to charges of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft before U.S. Magistrate Judge James Cott in Manhattan. Cott ordered Avenatti released on a $300,000 bail bond, on condition that he notify authorities of any travel plans and have no contact with Daniels.
In an indictment made public last Wednesday, prosecutors in Manhattan accused Avenatti, 48, of stealing about $300,000 from Daniels to fund an extravagant lifestyle, including a Ferrari automobile, after helping her secure a book contract. The new charges came on top of two separate criminal cases Avenatti already faced.
Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, was paid $130,000 from Trump's former personal lawyer Michael Cohen shortly before the 2016 presidential election to keep quiet about an affair she said she had with Trump in 2006. The president has denied having had sex with Daniels.
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