Michael Avenatti, the former lawyer to Stormy Daniels, was taken into custody by federal agents Tuesday evening after a disciplinary hearing with the State Bar Court in Los Angeles.

The State Bar of California has accused the Trump antagonist of using a doctored document to scam a client out of approximately $840,000 and directing money earned from a lawsuit settlement fund for his own personal use.

The State Bar of California is working to put Avenatti on “involuntary inactive status,” and begin setting in motion the process to disbarment.

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During a break in testimony in the disciplinary hearing, officials from the United States Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, took Avenatti into custody. He was being prosecuted by the Attorney’s Office for a separate offense, and had violated the terms of his pre-trial release.

“I understand that Mr. Avenatti has been arrested by the federal authorities for violating the terms of his release,” attorney Steven Bledsoe confirmed to the Daily Beast. Bledsoe represents Avenatti’s accuser in the disciplinary case and was present when the arrest occurred.

Avenatti’s last words as he left the courthouse were: “Completely innocent.”

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Katherine Huggins

Article by Katherine Huggins