Michael Avenatti gets 2-1/2 years in prison for Nike extortion scheme Reuters | Jul 08, 2021 03:53 PM EDT Attorney Michael Avenatti exits, following his sentencing for an extortion scheme against Nike Inc., at the United States Courthouse in the Manhattan borough of New York City, (Photo : REUTERS/Brendan McDermid) 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.