Michael Avenatti said federal prosecutors in New York falsely accused him of trying to extort millions of dollars from Nike Inc. as payback for his outspoken criticism of President Donald Trump.

Describing himself as “the foil for President Trump,“ Avenatti on Wednesday asked a U.S. judge in New York to dismiss the case on grounds that it’s a “vindictive prosecution” by Trump’s allies in the Justice Department…

“This expression of disdain for Mr. Avenatti is especially troubling in view of President Trump’s persistent public efforts to target his political enemies, including those who have criticized him in the media or confronted him in the political arena,” Srebnick said.