A Day After His Arrest, Avenatti Hammers Nike

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NEW YORK (AP) — A day after he was charged with trying to extort millions of dollars from Nike, attorney Michael Avenatti has launched a new public attack on the company.

In a string of tweets Tuesday, the lawyer accused Nike of "trying to divert attention from their own crimes."

Prosecutors say Avenatti approached Nike last week and threatened to expose rules violations involving an amateur youth team sponsored by the company unless it paid him up to $25 million.

Nike wouldn't answer questions but said it has been cooperating with a federal investigation into NCAA basketball for a year.

In his tweets, Avenatti denied that the company was cooperating, "unless you count lying in response to subpoenas and withholding documents as 'cooperating.'"

Ask DeAndre Ayton and Nike about the cash payments to his mother and others. Nike’s attempt at diversion and cover-up will fail miserably once prosecutors realize they have been played by Nike and their lawyers at Boies. This reaches the highest levels of Nike.

— Michael Avenatti (@MichaelAvenatti) March 26, 2019

He said "Nike's attempt at diversion and cover-up will fail miserably."

Avenatti rose to prominence representing porn actress Stormy Daniels in her legal battles against President Donald Trump.

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