By Jonathan Stempel
NEW YORK (Reuters) — Michael Avenatti, the brash lawyer who shot to fame representing porn actress Stormy Daniels in lawsuits against Donald Trump before a swirl of criminal charges ended his legal career, was sentenced to 2-1/2 years in prison on Thursday for trying to extort Nike Inc.
U.S. District Judge Paul Gardephe in Manhattan said Avenatti, 50, "had become drunk on the power of his platform" in betraying his client, a youth basketball coach, for his own gain.
"Mr. Avenatti's conduct was outrageous," Gardephe said. "He hijacked his client's claims, and he used those claims to further his own agenda, which was to extort millions of dollars from Nike for himself."
The sentencing caps a precipitous downfall for a once-obscure lawyer who in 2018 became a cable news fixture, disparaging then-President Trump and even flirting with a White House run himself.
Avenatti was convicted for threatening to expose Nike's alleged corrupt payments to families of college basketball prospects unless it forked over up to $25 million for him and another lawyer to conduct an internal probe.
Recordings showed Avenatti telling Nike lawyers he would "blow the lid" on the sportswear company and wipe $10 billion off its stock market value unless it bowed to his demands.
Prosecutors said Avenatti was counting on a big payday to cover his own debts. Nike has denied wrongdoing.
Avenatti was also convicted of defrauding the coach, Gary Franklin, by not telling him he wouldn't settle unless there were a probe.
Franklin had been upset Nike stopped sponsoring his program, and said he wanted simply to restore their relationship. He said Avenatti had "destroyed my reputation" in his community.
Before being sentenced, Avenatti lost his composure as he admitted to having "lost his way," and apologized to Franklin and others.
"TV and Twitter, your honor, mean nothing," Avenatti told the judge. "Everyone wants to ride in a limo with you, but very few are willing to sit next to you on the bus. Even fewer, your honor, are willing to take your calls from prison."
"I and I alone have destroyed my career, my relationships, my life," he added.
Avenatti sought no more than six months in prison, and his lawyers have said he will appeal his conviction.
Prosecutors had sought a "very substantial" prison term, after probation officers recommended eight years.