Stephanie Clifford, known professionally as Stormy Daniels, broke her silence Monday on the indictment of her former attorney, Michael Avenatti.
The adult film actress retained Avenatti’s services after going public with claims that she had an affair with President Donald Trump in 2006, and Trump paid her hush money before his 2016 campaign.
As of March 2019, Avenatti was no longer representing Daniels, who said that she wasn’t surprised by Avenatti’s indictment in a statement released on her Twitter feed. (RELATED: Stormy Daniels Alleges Michael Avenatti Sued Trump Against Her Wishes)
My statement regarding my former attorney Mr. Avenatti.. pic.twitter.com/9aKYCPNN6y
— Stormy Daniels (@StormyDaniels) March 25, 2019
“Knowing what I know now about Michael Avenatti, I am saddened but not shocked by news reports that he has been criminally charged today,” Daniels said. “I made the decision more than a month ago to terminate Michael’s services after discovering that he had dealt with me extremely dishonestly, and there will be more announcements to come.”
“I ask that the media respect my decision to withhold further public comment regarding Mr. Avenatti at this time,” she continued.
Avenatti rose to fame last year after he started representing Daniels, and even briefly considered a run for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020. (RELATED: Michael Avenatti Takes Big Steps Signaling Potential 2020 Presidential Run)
Monday’s indictment marks Avenatti’s latest run-in with the law. Avenatti was arrested for domestic violence in November after a woman filed a complaint against him. Shortly after his arrest, it was announced that no charges would be filed against him.