Michael Avenatti Arrested On Domestic Violence Charge

LOS ANGELES, CA — Michael Avenatti, the fiery attorney who rose to fame this year as Stormy Daniels’ attorney and President Donald Trump’s nemesis, is in police custody following allegations of domestic violence, authorities confirmed to Patch.

Avenatti was booked at the LAPD's Pacific Station on suspicion of felony domestic violence and his bail was set at $50,000. The 47-year-old Avenatti was released from custody at 5:30 p.m., and was met by reporters outside the police station. He denied the allegations against.

Avenatti thanked the LAPD for their "professionalism."

"They had no option in light of the allegations," he said. "Secondly, I have never struck a woman. I never will strike a woman. I have been an advocate for women's rights my entire career, and I'm going to continue to be an advocate. I am not going to be intimidated from stopping what I am doing. I am a father to two beautiful, smart daughters. I would never disrespect them by touching a woman inappropriately or striking a woman. I am looking forward to a full investigation at which point I am confident that I will be fully exonerated."

The alleged incident happened Tuesday in Century City, but Avenatti wasn’t arrested until Wednesday, Im said. It is unclear with whom Avenatti got into an altercation.

TMZ, citing law enforcement sources, reported that Avenatti is suspected of attacking his estranged wife, whose face was "swollen and bruised." However, his ex-wife released a statement through her attorney to CNN denying that she was injured in a altercation with Avenatti. The couple is in the midst of a divorce. Avenatti filed for divorce in 2017 after six years of marriage

The alleged incident Tuesday spilled out into the open Wednesday in front of an exclusive apartment building in Century City, TMZ reported.

Witnesses told the celebrity gossip outlet that a woman was heard screaming into her cell phone, "I can't believe you did this to me."

Soon after Avenatti ran into the building, chasing the woman and shouting "She hit me first," TMZ reported.

A fixture on cable news where he needles the president to remarkable effect, Avenatti has been rumored to be mulling a run for president in 2020.

He has been representing Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, in her legal battle with the president and his former attorney. She alleges the president paid her to keep silent during the 2016 campaign about an affair they had shortly after Melania Trump gave birth. The case had led to a public rift between Trump and his one-time personal attorney Michael Cohen. It also led to criminal charges against Cohen

Trump has denied the affair.

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Photo: NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 16: (L to R) Adult film actress Stormy Daniels (Stephanie Clifford) and Michael Avenatti, attorney for Stormy Daniels, speak to the media as they exit the United States District Court Southern District of New York for a hearing related to Michael Cohen, President Trump's longtime personal attorney and confidante, April 16, 2018 in New York City. Cohen and lawyers representing President Trump are asking the court to block Justice Department officials from reading documents and materials related to Cohen's relationship with President Trump that they believe should be protected by attorney-client privilege. Officials with the FBI, armed with a search warrant, raided Cohen's office and two private residences last week. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images) City News Service contributed to this report.