One of the unlikeliest duos in frontline politics has broken up: adult film actress Stormy Daniels has swapped Michael Avenatti for a new lawyer.
In a tweet at 2:12p.m. E.T., Daniels wrote: ‘I have retained Clark Brewster as my personal lawyer and have asked him and his firm to review all legal matters involving me. Upon completion of Mr Brewster’s review and further consultation with me, I anticipate Mr Brewster will serve as my primary counsel on all legal issues.’
I have retained Clark Brewster as my personal lawyer and have asked him and his firm to review all legal matters involving me. Upon completion of Mr. Brewster's review and further consultation with me, I anticipate Mr. Brewster will serve as my primary counsel on all legal issues
— Stormy Daniels (@StormyDaniels) March 12, 2019
Seconds later, at 2:23p.m. ET, Avenatti issued the following statement on his Twitter: ‘On February 19, we informed Stormy Daniels in writing that we were terminating our legal representation of her for various reasons that we cannot disclose publicly due to the attorney-client privilege. This was not a decision we made lightly and it came only after lengthy discussion, thought and deliberation, as well as consultation with other professionals.’
Please see below statement relating to our representation of Stormy Daniels. pic.twitter.com/RgXd4DXf4X
— Michael Avenatti (@MichaelAvenatti) March 12, 2019
Daniels, real name Stephanie Clifford, filed her lawsuit against President Trump just over a year ago, on March 6, 2018, regarding the $130,000 in hush money she had been paid to keep quiet about her affair with him in 2006. Her case served as a launchpad for Avenatti’s public career, catapulting him into the spotlight and even seeing him mentioned as a potential candidate for president.
The pair were getting on swimmingly as recently as January, when Avenatti was Daniels’s date to the Adult Video News awards. Last week a federal judge in Los Angeles dismissed her hush money suit against the president and his lawyer Michael Cohen as both men had said they wouldn’t penalize her for violation of the non-disclosure agreement.
Daniels is still believed to be contesting custody proceedings and a restraining order in her divorce from fellow porn performer Glendon Crain, aka Brendan Miller, with whom she shares a daughter.
Cockburn has reached out to Avenatti for comment and will update this story as it develops.
