Alexis Gardner has been identified as the woman whose money was allegedly embezzled by infamous celebrity lawyer Michael Avenatti.
According to the Los Angeles Times, Avenatti — who is known for representing ex-porn star Stormy Daniels — allegedly embezzled approximately $2 million dollars that were given to him by Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside and was intended for Gardner.
Avenatti was representing Gardner in a suit against Whiteside, her ex-boyfriend.
The report from the Los Angeles Times says that Avenatti took the nearly $2 million from Whiteside, and instead of giving it to Gardner, used it on a private jet.
While Avenatti was allowed to keep $1 million of Whiteside’s payment for his legal fees, he allegedly took the entire payment and told Gardner that she would be receiving her share “over 96 smaller monthly installments.”
According to her Facebook page, Gardner studied at Marshall University and currently lives in Los Angeles, California.
Avenatti, who is facing separate extortion charges for allegedly trying to scheme Nike out of $20 million, denied the allegations of embezzlement, telling the Los Angeles Times in a statement that “no monies were ever embezzled from anyone” and that he looks “forward to all of the relevant documents and facts being presented at trial.”
Avenatti first rose to national prominence a couple of years ago when he represented former adult film actress Stormy Daniels in a civil suit against President Donald Trump.
Just last March, news broke that Avenatti had allegedly attempted to extort $25 million from Nike by threatening to make damaging allegations against the company.
As a result of the extortion charges, Avenatti was arrested in New York City on Friday, March 29. He was released from police custody that same day after paying a $300,000 bond.
Additionally, Avenatti has been accused of ripping off multiple clients, including a mentally-ill, paraplegic man, according to the 36-page federal indictment against him.
