Avenatti on prospect of jail time: ‘I’m scared’

Attorney Michael Avenatti said Tuesday that he is “nervous” and “scared” about the prospect of prison time after he was charged with fraud and extortion this week by federal prosecutors.

“Of course I’m nervous,” Avenatti told CBS News in his first interview since he was arrested Monday.

“I am nervous. I’m concerned. I’m scared. I feel terrible for my family. I feel bad for my friends,” he added.

Avenatti, the former attorney to adult-film star Stormy Daniels, added that it “wouldn’t make a lot of sense” if he weren’t scared and nervous.

{mosads}”Most people are sticking by me,” he said. “They believe in me. They know what I’m all about. So I’ve been very fortunate in that regard. But sure, I’m nervous. I’m scared. I’m all those things. And if I wasn’t, it wouldn’t make a lot of sense.”

Avenatti did not immediately reply to a request for comment from The Hill.

Federal prosecutors in New York announced Monday that Avenatti had been charged with extortion after he allegedly threatened to release damaging information about Nike if the company didn’t pay him millions of dollars.

Separately, federal prosecutors in California on Monday also charged Avenatti with bank and wire fraud.

Avenatti, who was released on $300,000 bond, told reporters after a court appearance Monday that he expects to be “fully exonerated,” according to The Associated Press