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Stormy Daniels: I’m Reserving Judgment on Avenatti Domestic-Violence Claims

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“These are serious and obviously very troubling allegations, but right now that is all they are: allegations.”

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Stormy Daniels, the adult-film star famous for revealing Donald Trump and Michael Cohen’s potentially illegal hush-money payments, told The Daily Beast she is withholding judgment on allegations that her lawyer, Michael Avenatti, attacked a woman in California. “These are serious and obviously very troubling allegations, but right now that is all they are: allegations,” she said in a statement. “We should all reserve judgment until the investigation—an  investigation Michael has said he welcomes—is complete, and that’s what I’m going to do. But of course I do not condone violence against women and if these allegations prove true I will be seeking new representation.” TMZ first reported Wednesday that Avenatti had been arrested under suspicion of committing domestic violence. He denies the allegations. Avenatti has been openly discussing a potential 2020 presidential bid and raising money for Democratic candidates.

— Betsy Woodruff

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