Avenatti Wins, Loses At Manhattan Pre-Trial Hearing

Avenatti Wins, Loses At Manhattan Pre-Trial Hearing

Federal prosecutors won't be allowed to try to show that Michael Avenatti’s heavy debts gave him a motive to extort Nike Inc.

US District Judge Paul Gardephe's ruling in Manhattan on Wednesday gave a victory to the celebrity lawyer.

Reuters reports Avenatti has been in solitary confinement following his Jan.

14 arrest.

He wore a thin, dark gray, short-sleeve collarless shirt with matching pants and orange sneakers to Wednesday’s hearing.

But the judge also rejected Avenatti’s request to delay the trial following his jailing last week for an alleged bail violation in California.

In California, Avenatti is accused of defrauding several clients, and lying to the Internal Revenue Service and a bankruptcy court.

Avenatti became known for representing pornographic actress Stormy Daniels in lawsuits against President Donald Trump.