Michael Avenatti Arrested In L.A. For Suspected Felony Domestic Violence, Denies Allegations

Michael Avenatti, the attorney for porn star Stormy Daniels and several other women, was arrested in Los Angeles on Wednesday on suspicion of felony domestic violence.

A report about the alleged abuse was filed Tuesday, according to a local police spokesperson. Avenatti was reportedly held on $50,000 bail.

Avenatti, 47, denied the allegations against him in a statement provided by his legal office.

“I wish to thank the hard working men and woman of the LAPD for their professionalism they were only doing their jobs in light of the completely bogus allegations against me,” the statement read. “I have never been physically abusive in my life nor was I last night. Any accusations to the contrary are fabricated and meant to do harm to my reputation. I look forward to being fully exonerated.”

The lawyer’s wife, Lisa Storie-Avenatti, also refuted the claims against him via a statement from her attorneys.

50 CELEBRITIES WHO DIED IN 2018 – TRIBUTE SLIDESHOW

“Ms. Storie-Avenatti was not subject to any such incident on Tuesday night. Further, she was not at Mr. Avenatti’s apartment on the date that this alleged incident occurred,” the statement read. “My client states that there has never been domestic violence in her relationship with Michael and that she has never known Michael to be physically violent toward anyone. My client requests that the media respect her privacy and that of the parties young son.”

In a tweet on Thursday, Avenatti reiterated his wife’s claim that she and her ex were not together at the time of the alleged incident.

Avenatti’s first wife Christine Avenatti-Carlin also issued a statement defending her ex-husband: “I’ve known Michael for the last 26 years, we met when he was 21 years old and we were married for 13 years. Michael has always been a loving kind father to our two daughters and husband. He has never been abusive to me or anyone else. He is a very good man.”

In her own statement, Daniels said she supports Avenatti but added she would find a new attorney if the allegations against him proved to be true.

Avenatti also appeared to blame far-right conspiracy theorist Jacob Wohl, who is also known as Surefire, on Twitter for spreading the allegation against him.

Avenatti has garnered attention in recent months for his attacks on President Donald Trump and several other White House officials. He and Daniels filed a defamation lawsuit against Trump and his personal lawyer Michael Cohen over an extramarital affair the former Apprentice host had with Daniels in 2006. Avenatti also represented several women who accused Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh of sexual misconduct in September.

VICTORIA’S SECRET FASHION SHOW 2018: PHOTO SLIDESHOW

Avenatti has been teasing a possible presidential run in 2020. He recently made controversial remarks about who he believes the Democratic nominee to challenge Trump in 2020 should be.

California state laws permits victims of domestic abuse to apply for both emergency protective orders and restraining orders in both civil and criminal court.