Miami Star Hassan Whiteside Charges Michael Avenatti With Embezzling $1.5 Million Of His Money

Michael Avenatti, attorney for porn star Stormy Daniels, has been accused of embezzling $1.5 million from Miami Heat star, Hassan Whiteside. Whiteside wired Avenatti $2.75 million, intending on most of the money to go to Whiteside’s former girlfriend, Alexis Gardner. Prosecutors say that Avenatti was supposed to have around $1 million of that transaction for legal fees and to have the rest to go to Gardner. The two instead allege that he had around $2.5 million invested into a private jet.

“We entered into a mutually agreed upon settlement more than two years ago following the end of our relationship; a settlement that reflected Alexis’ investment of time and support over a number of years as Hassan pursued a career in the NBA,” Gardner and Whiteside told the New York Times.

The incident happened in 2017, but the full story was just recently revealed after the examination of bank records around April 10.

Gardner is just one of the five clients who says Avenatti has reportedly stole from.

Avenatti told The Hill in an email, “there was never any embezzlement of any monies.”

“I look forward to ALL of the details coming out regarding Hassan Whiteside’s settlement, the money received by the client, the money deducted for fees and costs, etc. and the reason why he paid the money. I especially look forward to the inquiry by the @NBA and its commissioner,” Whiteside said on Twitter.

After the alleged embezzlement from Whiteside and Gardner, Avenatti reportedly told Gardner he would pay her the money he owed, over a monthly, eight year plan, according to the Times.

Earlier this month, California charged Avenatti with 36 counts in an indictment that included failure to pay his taxes, fraud and perjury.