Michael Avenatti and Meghan McCain engaged in a twitter war last night over a comment McCain made on Tuesday’s episode of The View.
With reference to her father John, a former Vietnam POW, McCain rebuked claims that migrant detention centers were torture facilities.
Avenatti, who represented porn star Stormy Daniels in her lawsuit against President Donald Trump, tweeted: “Other than being born as the daughter to John McCain, can someone please again remind me what the hell Meghan McCain has ever accomplished in her life? Especially as it relates to publicly commenting on issues like degrading children in custody?”
McCain retorted: “Coming from the guy who stole 4 million dollars from a paraplegic veteran I consider it a compliment coming from you. You’re gonna rot in in jail for the monstrous, evil things that you have done…”
McCain’s remark was in reference to the lawsuit filed by Callahan & Blaine on behalf of their client, Geoffrey E. Johnson, which accuses Avenatti of siphoning $4 million from a settlement won on Johnson’s behalf.
In a statement announcing the lawsuit against Avenatti, Johnson’s attorney, Daniel J. Callahan of Callahan & Blaine, said, “I am appalled by the egregious, unethical conduct of Michael Avenatti and his band of attorneys who took an oath to zealously represent Mr. Johnson. Our client has been abused over and over, and we will get justice for Mr. Johnson,”
Johnson is seeking at least $9.5 million from Avenatti and several former colleagues in his civil lawsuit filed with the Orange County Superior Court in California.
“I never thought I would get victimized by my own attorney,” Johnson, who uses a wheelchair, said at a press conference earlier this month. “I wish he had just given me my money.”
Johnson’s claims are part of federal prosecutors’ criminal case against Avenatti, who has pleaded not guilty to wire fraud, bank fraud, extortion and other charges, including defrauding other clients, in California and New York.
But despite the glaring spotlight, Avenatti felt compelled to respond to McCain’s appearance on The View.
Avenatti told her she had become a “joke” who “traded on her father’s legacy.”
The criminal case against Avenatti includes accusations he attempted to extort more than $20 million from Nike by threatening to expose alleged improper payments to basketball recruits, and misappropriating nearly $300,000 in payments.
Avenatti faces the possibility of more than 400 years in prison if convicted on all charges.
