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SDNY COURTHOUSE, Aug 7 – When after three days of jury selection the trial of Michael Avenatti for allegedly extorting Nike began on January 29, Assistant US Attorney Robert Sobelman told the selected jurors that Avenatti was supposed to look out for the interests of his client, but he did not - he had a weapon, social media.  More on 1st day on Patreon here.

 On August 7 in the Stormy Daniels case, Avenatti had motions heard by U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Judge Jesse M. Furman. Inner City Press live tweeted it:

Judge Furman, who says Avenatti is prohibited from using any video conference application, begins with Avenatti's motion to move this case to California. Judge Batts (RIP) rejected it, and so does Judge Furman. The case is staying in New York.

Judge Furman: Mr. Avenatti has only been released temporarily; when the public hearing emergency is over, he will be with Bureau of Prison - "no expenses for lodging." He is applying for counsel, so he can't cite disruption of business.

 Judge Furman: Mr. Avenatti, are you on?

"Michael Avenatti, yes Your Honor, I'm on."

Clerk or deputy says an 11th person has signed on, but it not listed. We'll see. Judge Furman: There are more reasons to keep the case in SDNY now then when Judge Batts ruled.

 Judge Furman turns to Thomas Warren's motion to withdraw as counsel - it's granted, conflict and Avenatti is no longer paying fees. And, trial no time soon given COVID. Should Federal Defenders be appointed?

Judge Furman: He has an ownership interest in certain assets that may be worth something in the future, like contingent interests in lawsuits. Judge Furman: This seems like the wrong case to use as an experiment to social distancing. It was supposed to be in October. But that may not be realistic

AUSA: Mr. Avenatti's California trial is scheduled to begin on December 8. We would like to schedule a date here in SDNY - even if in 2021 - to be on the list and in line. Warren: The Central District of California has said no criminal trials in the foreseeable future.

Judge Furman: I'm going to adjourn trial without a date, just have a conference in October. Nothing more in realistic. I'm not in the practice of setting fantasy dates. Let's convene on October 13, at 10 am, with [Federal Defender Baum] hopefully in my courtroom. We have done what we needed to do. We are adjourned.

  Baum will be making a filing, and Inner City Press will have more on this.

On July 15 Avenatti asked to move his Nike sentencing from August 19 into October.

 On July 22, Judge Gardephe granted the request: "ORDER as to Michael Avenatti: It is hereby ORDERED that the sentencing of Defendant, currently scheduled for August 19, 2020, will now take place on October 7, 2020 at 2:30 p.m. Any submissions on behalf of Defendant are due on September 16, 2020, and any submission by the Government is due on September 23, 2020. (Sentencing set for 10/7/2020 at 02:30 PM before Judge Paul G. Gardephe) (Signed by Judge Paul G. Gardephe on 7/21/2020)."

  Back on February 4, after a day of cross examination and re-direct of Gary Franklin's adviser Jeffrey Auerbach, AUSA Sobelman after the jury left complained to Judge Paul G. Gardephe, "The defendant is extremely loud," referring to his remonstrating on which Inner City Press reported yesterday.

  Judge Gardephe said, I haven't heard anything. But this is an issue that came up before. I will ask Mr. Avenatti's lawyers to speak to him. I'll have to pay more attention to the defense table. We can't have the jury hearing exchanges between Mr. Avenatti and his attorney. I'll have to intervene."

And then Avenatti spoke up for himself: "I'll be conscious of my voice. I have a lot at stake, everyone knows that." Inner City Press tweet of that here; day's thread here.

   Inner City Press will continue to cover the trial, as much as possible. Today's afternoon radio here. More of Patreon here.

  On February 3, Gary Franklin's pro bono consultant Jeffrey Auerbach took the stand. Inner City Press was in the courtroom's second row when Assistant US Attorney Robert Sobelman walked Auerbach through testimony about Avenatti saying he was headed to New York on a red-eye to get $1 million for Gary Franklin.

  As Auerbach gave his opinion, Avenatti vigorously shook his head, with hair on the sides above the ears. He took notes that apparently went into the cross examination, to which Sobelman repeatedly objected. Finally Judge Gardephe said, You are objecting to a document you the prosecutors put into the record. Again the payments to Deandre Ayton, mother and handler Melvin McDonalnd, to Bol Bol and to Shaun Manning Brandon McCoy came up. People wanted to know more but there are limits. More on Patreon here.

  On January 31 Inner City Press published the March 25, 2019 draft settlement agreements, with dollar figure left blank, here on Scribed and on Patreon for download here, as well as the more than one hour video of Avenatti's and Mark Geragos' meeting with Nike's outside counsel, Scott Wilson of Boies Schiller, here.

  Inner City Press has also published three audio records of Wilson's conversations on March 20, 2019 with Geragos, and Avenatti, saying "I'm not f*cking around." Audio I, II and III. More including transcripts on Patreon here.

  We will have more on this, here and on Patreon.

   Inner City Press live-tweeted the start of the proceedings, here, and since and will have more. More on Patreon here. The case is US v. Avenatti, 19-cr-373 (Gardephe).

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