Disgraced attorney Michael Avenatti rested his case Tuesday morning in his criminal trial in Manhattan without calling a single witness or taking the stand himself.
Avenatti, who is accused of stealing nearly $300,000 in book-advance money from porn star Stormy Daniels, told Manhattan federal Judge Jesse Furman that he would not testify because prosecutors’ case against him was not strong enough for a conviction.
“I do not intend on testifying because the government has not proven its case against me,” he said Tuesday morning.
Furman then brought the jury into the courtroom and Avenatti told the panel that he intended to rest his case.
“The defense rests,” he said.
Closing arguments in the trial are scheduled to begin Wednesday, Furman said.
At trial, prosecutors called a series of witnesses who walked jurors through evidence, including documents and text messages, that purportedly showed how Avenatti executed his scheme to defraud Daniels, his former client.
Daniels, prosecutors’ star witness, testified that Avenatti stole two payments in 2018 that she was due to receive after inking a book deal for her tell-all memoir, “Full Disclosure.”
Avenatti forged Daniels’ signature on a letter to her literary agent and set up a bank account, where the payments were wired, prosecutors allege.
He then spent the cash on expenses for his money-losing law firm and a coffee business, as well as on travel, dry cleaning, food and a lease payment for a Ferrari, the feds allege.
Avenatti, who represented himself at trial, maintains his innocence.
In his cross-examination of Daniels, Avenatti attempted to undermine her credibility by quizzing her about statements she’s made about her alleged paranormal abilities, including being able to speak to the dead and to a lifeless doll named Susan.
Avenatti faces a maximum sentence of 22 years in prison if convicted on both counts of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.