Disgraced attorney Michael Avenatti is pictured for the first time while under house arrest, confined to his friend’s tiny apartment in Venice Beach, exclusive DailyMail.com photos show.
Avenatti was granted 90-day temporary release after making $1 million bail from Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York in April.
The 49-year-old, who rose to fame representing porn star Stormy Daniels in her tussle with President Trump, is electronically monitored and can’t leave the residence unless he has a medical emergency or seeks approval from Pretrial Services.
Judge James Selna also ruled that Avenatti cannot possess or use any digital devices that allow internet access – but luckily he was spotted using an old school flip phone on Tuesday in DailyMail.com’s exclusive photos.
Disgraced attorney Michael Avenatti is pictured for the first time under house arrest, confined to his friend’s tiny apartment in Venice Beach, exclusive DailyMail.com photos show
Judge James Selna also ruled that Avenatti cannot possess or use any digital devices that allow internet access – but luckily he was spotted using an old school flip phone in DailyMail.com’s exclusive photos
The 49-year-old is electronically monitored and can’t leave the residence unless he has a medical emergency or seeks approval from Pretrial Services
The former California litigator’s new temporary home is nothing like where he used to live – a luxury condominium complex in Century City, but at least it’s a far cry from federal prison
The three unit building is right in the heart of Venice and Avenatti was seen on the balcony chatting on his phone for around 20 minutes, dressed in black sweat pants and a gray Adidas hoodie
The phone will have been cleared by Pretrial Services and he can use it to communicate with his attorneys, family and friends.
The judge also ruled that while out on release, he cannot engage in any financial transactions exceeding $500 without prior approval.
It’s believed Avenatti is staying with his childhood friend Jay Manheimer, who according to his LinkedIn profile is a freelance writer and a die-hard fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and Blues sports teams.
The three unit building is right in the heart of Venice and Avenatti was seen on the balcony chatting on his phone for around 20 minutes, dressed in black sweat pants and a gray Adidas hoodie.
A wetsuit can be seen hanging over the railing of the balcony, most likely left to dry after his roommate went surfing.
The former California litigator’s new temporary home is nothing like where he used to live – a luxury condominium complex in Century City, but at least it’s a far cry from federal prison.
The 49-year-old rose to fame representing porn star Stormy Daniels in her tussle with President Trump. He also faces criminal trials in New York accused of defrauding former client Daniels and in Los Angeles for cheating clients and others of millions of dollars. He has denied wrongdoing on both cases
It’s believed Avenatti is staying with his childhood friend Jay Manheimer (pictured), who according to his LinkedIn profile is a freelance writer and a die-hard fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and Blues sports teams
Avenatti had been locked up since mid-January when a judge revoked his bail and sent him to jail while he awaited his federal trial for attempting to extort Nike for $25 million. On April 10, US District Judge James Selna granted Avenatti’s temporary release from New York’s Metropolitan Correctional Center with conditions. Pictured: Avenatti released from prison in New York City on April 24
Avenatti had been locked up since mid-January when a judge revoked his bail and sent him to jail while he awaited his federal trial for attempting to extort Nike for $25 million.
He was convicted on February 14, 2020 on the charges and was being held in a federal detention facility in New York City awaiting a June sentencing on the Nike case.
He also faces criminal trials in New York accused of defrauding former client Daniels and in Los Angeles for cheating clients and others of millions of dollars. He has denied wrongdoing on both cases.
On March 18th, Avenatti’s attorney, H. Dean Steward filed a motion with the court asking for his temporary release citing he’d had a bout with pneumonia, filthy living conditions, a sick cellmate with flu-like symptoms, susceptible to lung infections and that three rats were found in his cell as his reasons of why he is at a high risk of contracting COVID-19.
His attorney requested he be released under electronic monitoring and reasonable bail amount and other conditions until the pandemic is over.
Avenatti was granted 90-day temporary release after making $1 million bail from Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York in April
A wetsuit can be seen hanging over the railing of the balcony, most likely left to dry after his roommate went surfing
The judge also ruled that while out on release, he cannot engage in any financial transactions exceeding $500 without prior approval
The motion also stated that Avenatti languished in solitary confinement in a filthy, windowless, unventilated 10×8 gave for 23 or 24 hours a day for the first 30 days and for exercise was given access to two rusty pieces of equipment.
Avenatti was being held at the same prison where accused pedophile Jeffrey Epstein was imprisoned when he committed suicide in August 2019.
As a high-profile prisoner, he was being monitored and recorded 24 hours a day with two cameras, including when he used the shower and toilet, according to his attorney’s motion to the court.
On April 10, US District Judge James Selna granted Avenatti’s temporary release from New York’s Metropolitan Correctional Center with conditions.
His $1 million bond was posted by another friend, Hubert Bromma.