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US District Court Judge Michael V. Selna of Orange County, California, allowed the motion to quash the trial on technical grounds, ruling that prosecutors had failed to provide financial evidence to Avenatti.
Avenatti, 50, is accused of defrauding at least five former clients of his former law firm, including a paraplegic, by stealing nearly $ 10 million in settlement funds from them.
Avenatti rose to prominence when he represented Stormy Daniels against former President Donald Trump and represented himself in this case.
“A lot of people have said I was crazy to represent myself,” Avenatti told CNN. “They were right. I was just crazy enough.”
He was originally indicted in 2019 in an indictment with 36 counts including embezzlement, wire fraud, tax evasion, bankruptcy fraud and bank fraud; the current trial concerns only the 10 counts of electronic fraud.
A new trial is scheduled for October 12.
“Today was a good day for the rule of law,” said Dean Steward, a lawyer advising Avenatti.
“It has been a very difficult two and a half years for my children, my family, my friends and finally me. I am very grateful and touched by the continued advocacy of Mr. Steward, Ms. Cummings-Cefali and the rest of my team. of your political beliefs, every citizen has the right to basic notions of fair play and due process, ”Avenatti told CNN.
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