Nike asks judge to block Michael Avenatti from subpoenaing their records

September 22, 2019 0 Comment

By: Emily S.

Lawyers for Nike Inc. are asking a judge to bar accused extortionist Michael Avenatti from subpoenaing any of their records as part of his upcoming trial, according to new court papers.

“It is Mr. Avenatti — not Nike — on trial,” an attorney for the sportswear giant wrote Friday, following a request from Avenatti’s defense team that they be allowed to subpoena the company. “Mr. Avenatti is wrong. Nike did not commit any crime. Nike has been fully cooperating with the Government’s investigation into amateur basketball.”

The firebrand attorney is accused of attempting to shake down the fitness brand for $20 million earlier this year, claiming he would expose a pay-to-play scheme within the company unless they hired him to oversee an internal probe.

Instead, he was arrested and charged with extortion.

In a response filed later Friday, lawyers for Avenatti chided Nike for trotting out the tired refrain that the “defense is seeking to ‘put Nike and its employees on trial.’”
“Notably Nike does not deny that it funneled payments to amateur players,” attorneys Scott Srebnick and Jose Quinon wrote.

Avanetti shot to fame for his representation of adult film actress Stormy Daniels in her lawsuit against President Trump and Michael Cohen, and even briefly hinted at a 2020 presidential run.

But she later accused him of bilking her out of funds — and he’s now facing indictments for stealing millions from her and other clients.