Celebrity lawyer Michael Avenatti has said he is confident he will be “fully exonerated” of accusations of attempting to extort millions of dollars from Nike.
Mr Avenatti, who represented porn star Stormy Daniels in her legal battles against Donald Trump, spoke to reporters after appearing in a federal court in New York.
He was arrested after allegedly threatening to hold a news conference and release damaging allegations against the company if Nike did not pay him up to $25 million. The 48-year-old did not enter a plea and was released on $300,000 bail on condition he surrender his US and Italian passports.
He could face spending the rest of his life behind bars if convicted of the charges.
“As all of you know for the entirety of my career I have fought against the powerful. Powerful people and powerful corporations. I will never stop fighting that good fight,” Mr Avenatti said.
The lawyer is also charged in a bank and wire fraud case in Los Angeles.
