The Vermont Democratic party on Wednesday cancelled Michael Avenatti’s previously scheduled speaking appearances just hours after he was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence.
Avenatti, a 2020 presidential hopeful who rose to prominence representing porn star Stormy Daniels in her lawsuit against president Trump, was arrested Wednesday night in Los Angeles after an altercation with his ex-wife turned violent, TMZ reported.
“It has been widely reported by ABC News and other outlets that Michael Avenatti has been arrested in Los Angeles, California on charges of suspected felony domestic violence,” the party’s Communication’s Director R. Christopher Di Mezzo told the Hill in a statement.
Avenatti’s ex-wife, Lisa Storie-Avenatti, denied the allegations reported by TMZ, though the Los Angeles Police Department did confirm Avenatti was arrested.
“My client states that there has never been domestic violence in her relationship with Michael and that she has never known Michael to be physically violent toward anyone,” read a statement released by Storie-Avenatti’s attorney.
Avenatti, who is also facing potential criminal charges related to his handling of false sexual assault allegations against Supreme Court justice Brett Kavanaugh, also denied having assaulted his ex-wife.
“I wish to thank the hard working men and woman of the LAPD for their professionalism they were only doing their jobs in light of the completely bogus allegations against me,” he said in a statement released Wednesday evening. “I have never been physically abusive in my life nor was I last night. Any accusations to the contrary are fabricated and meant to do harm to my reputation. I look forward to being fully exonerated.”