Michael Avenatti announced in an uncharacteristically bland statement Tuesday that he is no longer representing Stormy Daniels, the porn star who became a household name after going public with allegations she had sex with President Donald Trump over a decade ago.
"On February 19, we informed Stormy Daniels in writing that we were terminating our legal representation of her for various reasons that we cannot disclose publicly due to the attorney-client privilege," the telegenic attorney said. "This was not a decision we made lightly and it came only after lengthy discussion, thought and deliberation, as well as consultation with other professionals."
Minutes later, Daniels said she had contracted Clark Brewster, an Oklahoma-based trial attorney.
"Upon completion of Mr. Brewster's review and further consultation with me, I anticipate Mr. Brewster will serve as my primary counsel on all legal issues," Daniels tweeted.
The announcements came days after federal California Judge James Otero dismissed Daniels' lawsuit seeking to invalidate a nondisclosure agreement she signed prior to the 2016 election barring her from speaking publicly about allegedly having sex with Trump in 2006.
Ex-Trump attorney Michael Cohen gave her $130,000 in exchange for signing the hush contract _ a payoff that violated campaign finance laws and implicated the president in criminal wrongdoing.
Otero said he was throwing out the suit because Trump and Cohen had pledged to not seek penalties from Daniels for breaking their deal.
