US star lawyer Avenatti arrested on domestic violence suspicions

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AFP
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Michael Avenatti, the lawyer for adult film actress Stormy Daniels, also known as Stephanie Clifford, speaks to the media in Los Angeles, California, US, April 20, 2018. REUTERS/Mike Blake/Files
 

LOS ANGELES: Michael Avenatti, the lawyer for an adult film star engaged in a legal battle with Donald Trump, was arrested in Los Angeles "on suspicion of domestic violence," police said Wednesday.

The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) tweeted the investigation was ongoing but did not provide further details.

"This is an ongoing investigation and we will provide more details as they become available," the LAPD said, adding that "his bail is set at $50,000."

Avenatti has been a thorn in the side of the US president as the attorney for Stormy Daniels, who is suing Trump to invalidate a non-disclosure agreement made days before the 2016 presidential election over an alleged sexual encounter she had with him.

Rumours have swirled for months over the prospect of Avenatti launching a presidential bid in 2020 when Trump will seek re-election.

But in recent months, the balding, blue-eyed lawyer has faced mounting legal and financial problems.

In addition to Daniels, his clients have included Julie Swetnick, who said she witnessed sexually abusive behaviour by Brett Kavanaugh, the US Supreme Court justice whose volatile confirmation process was marked by multiple accusations of sexual assault when he was in high school.