NEW YORK — Michael Avenatti dumped his defense team on the second day of trial Tuesday, meaning the litigator will directly question the former client he’s accused of scamming: porn star Stormy Daniels.
Federal defender Andrew Dalack said in Manhattan Federal Court that Avenatti’s desire to defend himself in the wire fraud case had become a “serious” issue.
“There has been a breakdown in the relationship between me and my counsel that speaks to the heart of my ability to mount a defense,” Avenatti later explained. “I am completely competent to proceed in this case as my own counsel.”
