NEW YORK _ Michael Avenatti was ordered Tuesday to stay away from Stormy Daniels after pleading not guilty to stealing nearly $300,000 from his former client.
Avenatti was arraigned on charges of wire fraud and identity theft in federal court in Manhattan and released on $300,000 bond. Magistrate Judge James Cott ordered Avenatti have no contact with Daniels "except in the presence of, or through, counsel."
The embattled attorney is expected to plead not guilty again in the afternoon to separate charges that he attempted to extort Nike. The Daniels and Nike cases are being handled by different judges.
Avenatti is accused of forging Daniels' signature to divert two advance payments of $148,750 for her book, "Full Disclosure." The tell-all featured lurid details of her alleged sexual encounter in 2006 with President Donald Trump. Avenatti is accused of spending her money on travel and a Ferrari.
"At no time was any money misappropriated or mishandled," Avenatti has said.
Avenatti rocketed to fame by constantly attacking Trump and his former personal attorney, Michael Cohen. Avenatti once toyed with the idea of running for president himself. Now, he's charged with federal crimes on both sides of the country. In Los Angeles he's accused of stealing millions of dollars from five other legal clients, failing to pay taxes and lying during bankruptcy proceedings.
Scott Srebnick, an attorney for Avenatti, said that the Daniels case should be moved to Los Angeles since both cases involved Avenatti's representation of clients.
But Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Podolsky said any effort to have the Daniels case transferred would not succeed. Daniels' book deal was signed in New York and most witnesses live in the city, he said.
The attempt to have the case moved to Los Angeles was "clearly for the sake of delay," Podolsky said.
Avenatti is separately charged in Manhattan with attempting to shake down Nike for $25 million or he would go public with allegations the shoe giant made secret payments to high school athletes.
"I have trust in the system that I have devoted nearly 20 years of my professional life to. I am confident that I will be fully exonerated by a jury once all relevant evidence and documents are presented. And I look forward to a full inquiry into the motivations behind the charges," Avenatti tweeted Monday.
He remained defiant after the hearing, taking a shot at Trump and Donald Trump Jr..
"Anyone know when the president or Don Jr. are going to be arraigned?" Avenatti asked reporters.
