Avenatti Fails to Delay L.A. Trial Over ‘Slimeball’ News Remarks
- The lawyer said bad press from N.Y. sentencing justified delay
- He goes on trial in California Tuesday for defrauding clients
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A California judge denied convicted attorney Michael Avenatti’s request to delay his trial on federal charges of defrauding clients, rejecting a claim that the jury pool is tainted by negative media coverage he received last week after being sentenced in a separate case in New York.
Avenatti’s second trial in less than two years started Tuesday as planned with jury selection after U.S. District Judge James V. Selna ruled from the bench in Santa Ana, about 30 minutes south of Los Angeles. Opening statements are expected to start July 20.