Judge Sentences , Michael Avenatti to 14 Years , in Prison For Fraud Scheme.<br />On December 5, Michael Avenatti was sentenced to 14 years in prison after pleading guilty to four counts of wire fraud and a tax-related charge. .<br />NBC reports that Avenatti was also <br />ordered to pay $7 million in restitution. .<br />The incarcerated lawyer's sentence will run <br />consecutively with the five-year prison term he is <br />already serving for separate convictions in New York.<br />Avenatti pleaded guilty without reaching a plea <br />deal, claiming he wished to be held accountable <br />and spare his family further embarrassment. .<br />Avenatti was accused of negotiating and collecting <br />settlement payments intended for his clients and <br />funneling the money into accounts that he controlled.<br />I am deeply remorseful and contrite.<br />There is no doubt that all of them deserve <br />much better, and I hope that someday <br />they will accept my apologies and <br />find it in their heart to forgive me, Michael Avenatti, Statement prior to sentencing, via NBC.<br />I am deeply remorseful and contrite.<br />There is no doubt that all of them deserve <br />much better, and I hope that someday <br />they will accept my apologies and <br />find it in their heart to forgive me, Michael Avenatti, Statement prior to sentencing, via NBC.<br />NBC reports that the federal government dropped <br />all remaining charges against Avenatti that <br />stemmed from a 36-count indictment. .<br />Avenatti is already serving time after being <br />convicted of stealing book proceeds from porn star <br />Stormy Daniels and trying to extort shoemaker Nike. .<br />Avenatti is already serving time after being <br />convicted of stealing book proceeds from porn star <br />Stormy Daniels and trying to extort shoemaker Nike. .<br />Prosecutors in the most recent case sought for <br />Avenatti's sentence to add 17.5 years in prison <br />to the five year sentence he is already serving.<br />In pleading guilty, Avenatti asked the court that his <br />sentence be no more than six years and would be <br />served concurrently with his other sentence. .<br />In pleading guilty, Avenatti asked the court that his <br />sentence be no more than six years and would be <br />served concurrently with his other sentence.
