Avenatti denies domestic violence allegations: ‘I have never struck a woman’

High-profile lawyer Michael Avenatti denied domestic violence allegations being levied against him after he was released on bail Wednesday night, stating that he would not be “intimidated” from advocating for women’s rights.

“I have never struck a woman. I never will strike a woman,” Avenatti told reporters, according to video posted by KABC. “I have been an advocate for women’s rights my entire career and I’m going to continue to be an advocate.”

“I’m not going to be intimidated from stopping what I’m doing,” he added.

{mosads}”I am looking forward to a full investigation at which point I am confident that I will be fully exonerated,” he continued.

Los Angeles police said Avenatti was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of felony domestic violence.

The lawyer issued a statement via his law office earlier Wednesday night, denying the allegations and calling them “completely bogus” and “fabricated.” 

His ex-wife, Lisa Storie-Aveantti, has denied via her lawyer that she was the victim of the alleged domestic violence.

“My client states that there has never been domestic violence in her relationship with Michael and that she has never known Michael to be physically violent toward anyone,” her statement added.

Avenatti, who is representing adult-film actress Stormy Daniels in her lawsuit against President Trump, has floated the idea of launching a 2020 presidential run against Trump, though an arrest on a domestic violence charge could end that aspiration.

The Vermont Democratic Party announced it has canceled two events that were set to feature Avenatti over his arrest on domestic assault allegations.