Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, and others jumped on attorney Michael Avenatti after he was indicted on 36 federal charges Thursday.
Avenatti, best known for representing porn star Stormy Daniels in her lawsuit against President Donald Trump and for trying to derail the nomination process of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, was charged with three dozen counts of fraud, tax evasion, identity theft, and other financial crimes.
"The darth vader of Kavanaugh nom/unethical lawyer Avenatti indicted on 36 counts incl tax dodging/perjury etc," Grassley tweeted. "We now find out what sort of guy he is &confirms he has NO credibility Can u imagine he was accepted by mainstream media as a tool trying 2help Dems sink Kavanaugh nom??"
Grassley, a former chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, was far from the only person who used the opportunity to air his feelings about Avenatti.
Donald Trump Jr.:
"Sad that this is not at all shocking... Almost as sad was that CNN tried to make this guy a viable presidential candidate when it seems his only real accomplishment was to be simultaneously indicted on both coasts..."
Federalist co-founder Sean Davis:
"And while Avenatti was allegedly doing this, @BrianStelter was regularly featuring him on a CNN show called 'Reliable Sources.'"
Television personality Meghan McCain:
"Just saying one last time for the cheap seats in the back - I called Michael Avenatti being a complete and total scum bag from day one.... 🤷🏼♀️"
Actor James Woods:
"Michael Avenatti embezzled millions from paraplegic client, new 36-count indictment alleges."
Journalist Greta Van Susteren:
"It does not get much worse than this: Michael Avenatti accused of the unthinkable...hiding settlement funds from a mentally Il's paraplegic.."
Journalist Byron York:
"A long-ago love affair: CNN, MSNBC had Michael Avenatti on 214 times in 2018."
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