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Former President Donald Trump claimed final victory in the defamation lawsuit brought against him in 2018 by adult film star Stormy Daniels, who alleged she had a sexual affair with him over a decade ago.
A notorious left-leaning federal appeals court ordered Daniels to pay Trump almost $300,000 in attorneys’ fees after the court rejected her bid to overturn a lower court’s decision.
“In its decision Friday, the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit said it had no jurisdiction over Daniels’ appeal of the attorneys’ fees issue because she failed to file a notice of appeal within a 30-day deadline of a federal judge granting the fees to Trump,” CNBC reported.
“The appeals court also said that the same judge had properly included another $1,000 in sanctions against Daniels in the same judgment that awarded Trump attorneys fees. The amount Daniels owes Trump in the case is about the same amount she was swindled out of by her former lawyer Michael Avenatti,” the report added.
Trump released a statement praising the news.
“The 9th Circuit just issued a final ruling in the Stephanie Clifford (aka Stormy Daniels) frivolous lawsuit case against me brought by her disgraced lawyer, Michael Avenatti, upholding the lower court ruling that she owes me nearly $300,000 in attorney fees, costs, and sanctions (not including appeal costs),” Trump said.
“Now all I have to do is wait for all of the money she owes me,” Trump added, calling the case “a purely political stunt that never should have been started, or allowed to happen.”
“P.S. The Fake News probably won’t report this story!” he added about the ruling.
Daniels, who recently has been involved in developing a paranormal investigative show entitled “Spooky Babes,” fired back on Twitter at a woman who gloated about Trump’s court victory.
“I will go to jail before I pay a penny,” Daniels tweeted.
I will go to jail before I pay a penny
— Stormy Daniels (@StormyDaniels) March 22, 2022
Michael Avenatti, who was representing in her case against Trump, was found guilty of stealing around $300,000 from Daniels on book sales.
He was found guilty of charges of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft of hundreds of thousands in book proceeds.
The wire fraud charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, while the aggravated identity theft charge carries a mandatory term of imprisonment of two years.
Avenatti’s sentencing date is scheduled for May 24.
In their closing argument, prosecutors pointed to a “mountain of evidence” against Avenatti, who they argued betrayed the trust of his client.
“The defendant was a lawyer who stole from his own client. She thought he was her advocate, but he betrayed her and he told lies to try to cover it all up,” prosecutor Robert Sobelman said.
“He stole from her. He lied to her over and over and over again,” Sobelman added of Avenatti. “All to steal and spend money that was not his. The defendant is guilty.”
“I’m very disappointed in the jury’s verdict. I am looking forward to a full adjudication of all of the issues on appeal,” Avenatti said.
“I lost my way. I betrayed my own values, friends, family, and myself. I was driven by things that do not matter in life. Television and Twitter mean nothing. I and I alone have destroyed my career, my relationships, and my life,” he added.
Michael Avenatti convicted of stealing $300k from Stormy Daniels https://t.co/hoEV533oB0 pic.twitter.com/icT2kef1sd
— New York Post (@nypost) February 4, 2022
