Michael Avenatti, the former lawyer for Stormy Daniels, a porn star, pleaded guilty to five criminal charges in federal court on Thursday.<br /><br />Avenatti pleaded guilty to four counts of wire fraud from defrauding clients as well as one tax-related charge during a court hearing in Santa Ana, California. He faces a maximum sentence of 83 years in prison.<br /><br />The lawyer, who is representing himself, failed to reach a deal with federal prosecutors earlier in the week but decided to change his plea in an effort to hold himself accountable and avoid any further embarrassment to his family.<br /><br />He admitted to obstructing and impeding efforts by the Internal Revenue Service to collect unpaid payroll taxes, which add up to $5 million.<br /><br />In addition to the five criminal charges Avenatti pleaded guilty to on Thursday, he could also face an additional 31 counts depending on if the government wants to pursue those. A decision on the remaining 31 counts is expected next week.<br /><br />Avenatti's sentencing date will be in mid-September if the government opts not to pursue the remaining 31 counts.<br /><br />He will be forced to pay fines in excess of $1 million and restitution which the government says is $14 million.<br /><br />The hearing was delayed on Thursday morning while Avenatti met with his appointed counsel, then told the judge that he's "prepared to plead guilty to five counts this morning."<br /><br />Avenatti is serving five years in a federal prison in California for two convictions handed down in New York in relation to stealing book proceeds from Daniels. <br /><br />He was also convicted of attempting to extort Nike if it didn't pay him up to $25 million.<br /><br />In a previous filing on June 12, Avenatti’s lawyer said that a plea deal was unable to be reached with the government.<br /><br />"Despite repeated efforts over the last year by Mr. Avenatti and his counsel, including substantial efforts made in the last 30 days, defendant has been unable to reach a plea agreement with the government," Avenatti’s lawyer said. "Mr. Avenatti wishes to plea in order to be accountable; avoid his former clients being further burdened; save the Court and the government significant resources; and save his family further embarrassment." <br /><br />Avenatti has been suspended by the State Bar of California.
