CA bar association closes investigation of Avenatti, after ethics complaint linked to Tully's Coffee

[pnwmom]

https://www.seattletimes.com/business/local-business/california-bar-clears-lawyer-michael-avenatti-of-fraud-allegations-tied-to-his-tullys-business-dealings/

The agency that regulates lawyer conduct in California has cleared celebrity attorney Michael Avenatti of claims of fraudulent and unethical business dealings while he ran the Seattle-based Tully’s coffee chain, according to letters sent to him and the Bellevue lawyer who formally filed the complaint.

“The State Bar has completed the investigation of the allegations of professional misconduct reported by David Nold,” according to the letter sent to Avenatti, who provided The Seattle Times with a copy. “We have determined that this matter does not warrant further action. Therefore, the matter is closed.”


Nold, a Bellevue lawyer who represents landlords and other creditors of the failed coffee chain, filed the complaint in April. He contended that while Avenatti ran Tully’s parent company, Global Baristas, Avenatti stole millions in state and federal tax withholdings from employee paychecks and fraudulently transferred $100,000 from the coffee business to hire lawyers for his law firm’s unrelated bankruptcy case.

Avenatti has denied the allegations to the bar and blasted Nold as dishonest. On Tuesday, Avenatti wrote in an email to The Times that the outcome of the bar’s investigation demonstrates that.

[Haggis for Breakfast]

1. Nold claims that

"Avenatti stole millions in state and federal tax withholdings from employee paychecks and fraudulently transferred $100,000 from the coffee business to hire lawyers for his law firm's unrelated bankruptcy case."

THAT is a stunning accusation to level without any shred of proof.

[2naSalit]

2. Sure is...nt