Michael Avenatti sees new charge in Nike case

Federal prosecutors have brought forth a new fraud against lawyer Michael Avenatti in a case involving Avenatti's attempted extortion of Nike Inc. However, there is some good news for Avenatti as two charges of conspiracy in the case were dropped.

Avenatti took to Twitter to say, "“I am extremely pleased that the two counts alleging I engaged in a conspiracy against Nike have just been dismissed by Trump’s DOJ. I expect to be fully exonerated when it is all said and done.”

I am extremely pleased that the two counts alleging I engaged in a conspiracy against Nike have just been dismissed by Trump’s DOJ. I expect to be fully exonerated when it is all said and done.

— Michael Avenatti (@MichaelAvenatti) November 13, 2019

Avenatti was previously charged with extortion for threatening to publicize a claim by a basketball club coach he was representing that Nike arranged for payments to elite college basketball recruits. Avenatti demanded that the athletic wear company pay the coach 1.5 million dollars and pay himself over 20 million dollars according to federal prosecutors.

The new fraud charge says Avenatti defrauded the coach. Avenatti is accused of trying to use the case between the basketball coach and Nike to his own benefit, as Nike agreed to pay the coach a settlement as long as they didn't have to pay Avenatti, but Avenatti continued to try and use the case for his own personal gain.

Avenatti has plead not guilty to all charges against him.

Photo: Nike Facebook