NEW YORK (AP) — The latest on the case involving attorney Michael Avenatti (all times local):
5:55 p.m.
The embattled lawyer Michael Avenatti has a knack for injecting himself into the news.
Wednesday his name popped up in connection with the federal prosecution of members of a secretive society in upstate New York that's been accused of sex trafficking.
At a court hearing in Brooklyn, attorney Mark Geragos confirmed under questioning by a judge that he and Avenatti had met with prosecutors on behalf of a defendant in the case, liquor fortune heiress Clare Bronfman.
Prosecutors charged Avenatti Monday with embezzling from a client and trying to extort millions of dollars from Nike.
Geragos wouldn't comment on reports identifying him as an unnamed co-conspirator in the extortion case.
During Wednesday's hearing, Bronfman collapsed after being questioned by the judge and was evaluated by medics.
Avenatti wasn't present.
