Michael Avenatti argues to overturn conviction for defrauding Stormy Daniels
ABC News
Michael Avenatti was convicted of aggravated identity theft and is serving prison time for defrauding his best-known client, adult film actress Stormy Daniels.
Celebrity attorney Michael Avenatti deserves to have his conviction overturned because the trial erroneously instructed the jury about the professional duties of lawyers, Avenatti's lawyer argued Friday to a federal appeals court.
Avenatti was convicted of aggravated identity theft and is serving prison time for defrauding his best-known client, adult film actress Stormy Daniels, out of the proceeds of her book contract.
On appeal, his defense argued the trial judge added inappropriate and prejudicial instructions to the jury about the seriousness of Avenatti's crime because it represented a breach of a lawyer's ethical duties.
"Anytime a judge adds a qualifier is particularly problematic," defense attorney Kendra Hutchinson said Friday during an oral argument before a three-judge panel of the 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals. "I think this charge should not have been given."
