CNN —The Supreme Court on Tuesday declined an appeal from disgraced attorney Michael Avenatti, who argued that his extortion conviction was based on a vague anti-corruption law that shouldn’t apply to lawyers making settlement demands.
On his broad point, at least, Avenatti’s argument has picked up some support from members of the Supreme Court’s conservative wing.
Avenatti cited the Gorsuch opinion in his appeal and argued that the Supreme Court should invalidate the law.
The Biden administration countered that Avenatti’s conduct was well within the plain meaning of the prohibition – in other words, not a fringe case – and that his appeal was foreclosed by earlier Supreme Court precedent.
The New York-based 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals declined to overturn Avenatti’s conviction last year.
Persons:
Michael Avenatti, Stormy Daniels, Avenatti, it’s, Neil Gorsuch, ” Gorsuch, Clarence Thomas, Biden, shouldn’t, Avenatti’s, Brett Kavanaugh
Organizations:
CNN, Nike, Conservative
Locations:
New York