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Adult-film star Stormy Daniels (Stephanie Clifford) took the witness stand Thursday during the trial in which she accused her former attorney Michael Avenatti of stealing from her and lying.
Daniels hired Avenatti in 2018 as representation during her claims of a sexual tryst she and former President Donald Trump had nearly a decade earlier. She spoke about the claims in her 2018 autobiography Full Disclosure and wanted to speak publicly about the tryst. She claimed to be paid $130,000 before the 2016 presidential election to "remain silent." Trump denied the claims of the tryst.
Upon being asked during the trial Thursday by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Sobelman why the attorney-client relationship ended in 2018, Daniels told the court, "I hired a new attorney because he stole from me and lied to me."
Daniels took the stand in a COVID-protected witness stand, which had a see-through plastic shield and a special air filter, according to the Associated Press. The courtroom was arranged to prevent the spread of COVID-19 during the trial.
According to the AP, Daniels said her formal agreement with Avenatti about compensation for representation was $100, which she gave him in cash in a Los Angeles restaurant and, according to her, was used to pay for lunch.
Prosecutors also allege Avenatti stole nearly $300,000 of the $800,000 advance on Daniels' 2018 autobiography Full Disclosure, in which she details the tryst with Trump. According to ABC News, prosecutors also allege Avenatti stole the money due to personal financial problems and his law firm's difficulties paying for office space and payroll services.
Avenatti, according to the AP, claims Daniels owed him a portion of the book's income, due to her only being charged $100 for representation.
Sobelman asked Daniels if she had agreed to pay Avenatti more than the $100, which she denied. She also stated a crowd-funding website was used to raise a total of $650,000, which would pay Avenatti for the representation.
Avenatti insists he is innocent and has pleaded not guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. He also requested during the second day of the trial to represent himself. According to ABC News, Judge Jesse Furman granted the request. Avenatti cited a "breakdown" with his attorneys as the reason.
The move to represent himself could lead to witnesses who formerly worked for him being cross-examined by their former boss, according to ABC. Avenatti would also cross-examine Daniels.
The trial is in its fourth day of testimony.
