Support Free Republic, Folks! Donate today!
Posted on 05/15/2019 1:51:53 PM PDT by jazusamo
A day after a federal judge rejected Michael Avenatti's request to be represented by a public defender, the embattled attorney announced Wednesday that he had hired his own private counsel for his trial on charges that he defrauded clients, a bank and the federal government.
Avenatti appeared for a short hearing in Santa Ana, Calif., federal court alongside Dean Steward, whom Avenatti called an “incredibly well qualified” lawyer.
On Tuesday, Avenatti filed paperwork asking to formally establish an attorney-client relationship with the federal public defender's office. That request was denied without explanation by U.S. District Judge James V. Selna. The paperwork was stamped in in bright red letters saying: "DENIED by order of the court."
Avenatti’s request for a public defender included a proviso that he delay submitting an affidavit detailing his financial difficulties. The 48-year-old claimed that his defense efforts in multiple ongoing criminal and civil cases made it impossible for him to accurately document his financial situation. He added that he wanted to “contribute significantly” for his representation by a public defender but also was unable to fully pay for a private lawyer.
"Mr. Avenatti has tried to secure private counsel over the course of the past month but has been unsuccessful,” Deputy Federal Public Defender Georgina Wakefield wrote in Tuesday's filing. Less than 24 hours later Avenatti didn’t address the change in circumstances but said, “I’m happy that Mr. Steward has agreed to represent me. He has an incredible track record in this courthouse and otherwise."
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
I’ve seen too many public defenders to believe they are anything but the bottom of their law school classes. Avenatti knows this and for him to have tried to procure a third-rate defense suggests there is something wrong in his head. Or there are things going on that have yet to surface.
Wouldn’t it be fitting if Steward took the retainer and fled to Brazil?
What about the liberal press he played for fools - can't they sue him too?
Ha...No one more deserving of that than CPL.
As soon as Michael Avenatti gets this little bump in the road ironed out, he will be back in the race for the Democrat nomination for the office of the Presidency of the US.
Real class will be returned to that derby, because he REALLY wants to beat Trump.
He sure had Commie News Network and PMSNBC eating out of his hand. :^)
Support Free Republic, Folks! Donate today!
how many msnbc contributors are going to be indicted?
They are already have geragos, avenatti, probably some others i’m forgetting about. Guess john brennan might be next. Anyone else able to add to my list
who else fell off their chairs laughing upon reading CPL was asking for a public defender?
He didn’t hire Michael Cohen?
I sure did, it was hilarious and I posted the article yesterday.
Didn’t figure he’d come up with his own attorney this soon though.
Since he needed a court-appointed lawyer, I figure Stormy must have lent him some dough.
It totally sucks when the legal ‘profession’ sucks its own blood dry.
I really hate that, I think
No, that would be the salaried guys at legal aid.
They aren’t the same people?
No. Criminal vs Civil law.
PD’s office is generally pretty good in negotiating the plea deals on routine cases. The standard motions are all canned, just fill in the blanks. And the clients are almost always guilty, so justice is usually done.
Creepy Porn Lawyer will be vindicated. He has Kim Foxx on speed dial.
Good one. :^)
I wouldn’t doubt those two shysters are tight.
CNN should pay the CPL’s legal costs.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.