BREAKING: Renowned attorney Mark Geragos has been ordered to pay $100,000 following a jury ruling in a civil suit linked to disgraced lawyer Michael Avenatti. The decision was reached on Wednesday, confirming that Geragos provided significant assistance to Avenatti, who is currently serving a prison sentence for extortion and embezzlement.
The case revolves around Avenatti’s notorious attempt in 2019 to blackmail Nike while he represented basketball coach Gary Franklin. Avenatti’s actions led to his incarceration, and Geragos was named an unindicted co-conspirator in the federal government’s case against him. Franklin, who claims he never received any money from Nike due to Avenatti’s misconduct, filed a civil suit against Geragos for his involvement in the debacle.
The jury concluded that Geragos had “actual knowledge” of Avenatti’s wrongdoing and that he “provided knowingly substantial assistance or encouragement” to Avenatti’s criminal activities. Furthermore, the jury determined that Geragos breached his professional duty of care and loyalty to Franklin. However, they ultimately decided that Geragos’s conduct was not a “substantial factor” in causing harm to Franklin.
Geragos’s representative expressed relief, stating that the verdict reflects a level of vindication, with the attorney grateful for the jury’s decision. “We’re satisfied with the result and grateful the jury… got it right,” said the representative.
In contrast, Franklin’s attorney, Trent Copeland, criticized Geragos, emphasizing that the jury’s finding of liability speaks volumes about Geragos’s professional conduct. “No reasonable attorney would celebrate a verdict like that. He can’t run from this,” Copeland asserted.
Avenatti, who gained fame as Stormy Daniels’s attorney, is currently serving a total of around 20 years in prison for various charges, including the extortion attempt against Nike and embezzlement from clients, including Daniels herself.
As this story develops, legal experts are closely monitoring any potential implications for Geragos’s illustrious career and future cases. The public is urged to stay tuned for updates as the legal fallout continues.
