Alex Padilla, a Democrat Senator, has been likened to a theatrical performer, albeit one who lacks the finesse of a seasoned actor.
This comparison, however, is not meant to flatter but to critique his political maneuvers. The Democrats, it seems, have a penchant for theatrics, and their affinity for lawyers who can perform for the press is well-known.
"Todays stunt reminded me of Jon Lovitz... IM AN ACTORRRR!" was the sentiment expressed by critics of the Democrats' theatrical politics. The party's history of endorsing individuals who can put on a convincing act for the media is not a new phenomenon. A case in point is Michael Avenatti, a lawyer who was once a darling of the Democrats and was even considered a potential presidential candidate.
CNN's Brian Stelter had once said of Avenatti's presidential prospects, "And looking ahead to 2020, one reason Im taking you seriously as a contender is because of your presence on cable news. However, Avenatti's star soon faded, and he found himself embroiled in legal troubles.
According to RedState, Avenatti was found guilty of attempting to extort Nike by threatening to expose alleged corrupt payments made by the company to the families of college players. His demand was a hefty $25 million, failing which he threatened to tarnish Nike's reputation. His extortion attempt, however, backfired, and he was found guilty of extortion, wire fraud, and transmission of interstate communications with intent to extort. He was sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison and fined $260,000.
Avenatti's legal woes did not end there. In February 2022, he was convicted of stealing from his client, Stormy Daniels, who had alleged an affair with President Donald Trump. Avenatti appealed his sentence, claiming a court error. The court of appeals concurred and sent his case back for resentencing. After hearing from victims and Avenatti, the trial court decided to increase his sentence to 11 years.
One of Avenatti's victims, Gardner, recounted how Avenatti had stolen from a $2.75-million settlement her former boyfriend, pro basketball player Hassan Whiteside, had agreed to pay her to avoid a potential lawsuit. Avenatti had used most of that money to buy a private jet.
Gardner, visibly shaken, told the court, "Eight years ago, I expected a life changing settlement that would give me security and a chance to build my future. Instead, Mr. Avenatti misappropriated my funds, and he dictated my fate without my consent, based on choices that he made." She labeled Avenatti a "legal predator" and said that if it weren't for him, she would be a homeowner, would own a car, and would have savings.
Gardner's testimony seemed to have influenced the judge, who added another year to Avenatti's preliminary sentence of 10 years. Avenatti now faces seven more years in federal prison and owes close to $20 million in restitution, a sum his victims are unlikely to ever see.
The story of Avenatti's fall from grace serves as a stark reminder of the pitfalls of endorsing individuals based on their media presence and theatrical abilities. It also raises questions about the Democrats' choice of representatives and their penchant for theatrics.
As for Avenatti, his future prospects seem bleak, with a long prison sentence ahead and a substantial debt to repay.
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