By Luc Cohen

NEW YORK, (Reuters) – Lawyer Michael Avenatti was “tangled in his web of lies” when he embezzled money from Stormy Daniels, a former client. This, a U.S. prosecution claimed Wednesday in closing arguments at Avenatti’s fraud trial.

Avenatti (50), is currently being tried before a federal court in Manhattan for identity theft and wire fraud. If convicted, he could spend up to 22 years prison.

As the two were rising to fame over their clash with President Donald Trump, he is accused of routing $300,000 worth book proceeds to Daniels’ account.

Daniels’ real name is Stephanie Clifford. She testified last Wednesday that Avenatti led her to believe that Avenatti was behind in paying advances for her book, “Full Disclosure” when she confronted him about the payments. He had already received the funds, she later found out.

She believed he was her advocate. At the end of the eight-day trial, Robert Sobelman, assistant U.S. attorneys, stated that he had betrayed her. He got caught in his web of lies. “He was caught.”

Avenatti who represents himself in the case has pleaded guilty to the charges and downplayed it as a dispute over legal costs that does not belong in criminal court. Avenatti is scheduled to make a closing argument on Wednesday, before deliberations begin.

Los Angeles lawyer, Daniels has claimed that the contract he signed in order to represent him in Trump’s cases entitled him to a fair share of her book proceeds. The trial’s highlight moment was when he interrogated his ex-client about her interest paranormal activities to try and undermine her credibility.

Daniels (42), is well-known for her $130,000 in hush funds from Trump’s ex-personal lawyer Michael Cohen to conceal details about the sexual encounters she claims she had with Trump. Trump denies that they ever took place. Avenatti sued Trump in order to end the nondisclosure agreement.

These charges are just the latest of a series of criminal accusations that has ended Avenatti’s legal career. Avenatti, a brazen lawyer, appeals against a conviction. He was sentenced to two-and-half years in prison for extorting. Nike Inc (NYSE 🙂 is facing a host of federal charges in California, alleging that he has defrauded clients.