Re: Nice Planet: Screw It, I'm Outta Here
I did something I hadn't tried here before, and that was to do a search for "Avenatti" in the posts on this Board to just remember some of the discussions had. It actually was pretty entertaining to do. I may have to try that more often.
One of the things that struck me as I was reminded of Avenatti's appearances on various issues is how his one move is the very thing he tried with Nike and now has him in hot water. He comes in and basically presents an "either or" threat. His target must accede to his demands or Avenatti is going to destroy them. That was what he did with Stormy Daniels. That's what he did when he claimed he had bombshell information about the border kids. That's what he did when he claimed he had Kavanaugh victims.
He's consistent, at least. But the other thing that has been consistent is we've never really seen the big reveal. I'm still waiting for the dvd(?) that he so coyly tweeted a picture of a year ago.
But with Nike, he went too far and made the main thrust a cash grab on behalf of himself. The FBI and Nike's attorney (David Bois, maybe?) did a masterful job of understanding what makes Avenatti tick, and used it against him. Avenatti came in claiming to represent someone with a claim against Nike, and made threats on behalf of his client, arguably within the scope of what he is permitted to do as an advocate on behalf of the client.
But the feds and Bois understood this was really about what is in it for Avenatti. They told Avenatti that the demands of his client wouldn't be a problem, but they really wanted to know about the demands for himself, that he be permitted to do an internal investigation of Nike for a minimum of $20 million or he would financially damage their company. They kept feeding him rope and he kept tying the noose tighter. He didn't care about the $1.5 million Nike was willing to pay his client.