Federal attorneys are attacking attorney Michael Avenatti over nearly half a million dollars in unpaid federal taxes owed by his former law firm.
The U.S. Attorney's Office in Los Angeles, in a federal court filing Tuesday, accused Avenatti of trying to scam the federal government out of a $452,000 tax payment that was due last month by his former law firm, Politico reports.
The bankrupt firm, Eagan Avenatti LLP, agreed to make the payment last month to the IRS to resolve a bankruptcy case, but the funds were not received, according to the filing.
"The debtor and its principle [sic] Michael Avenatti made misrepresentations to the United States that it’s [sic] claim would be fully paid," Assistant U.S. Attorney Najah Shariff wrote in the filing in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Santa Ana, California.
"The misconduct of the Debtor and its responsible office [sic] Michael Avenatti should not be condoned by this court," Shariff said.
Avenatti represents adult-film star Stormy Daniels. He told CNN on Wednesday, "we expect that issue to be fully settled shortly.
"I don't owe anything personally."
Shariff works for U.S. Attorney Nicola Hanna, a Trump appointee and former federal prosecutor confirmed to the job in April, according to the report.
Federal Bankruptcy Judge Catherine Bauer set a July 25 hearing in the matter.
Avenatti is now operating primarily through another firm, Avenatti & Associates, Politico reports.
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