Remember Michael Avenatti? There was a historical moment when he was the Democratic Party’s great hope. Avenatti was going to harpoon the Dems’ white whale, Donald Trump. This was via his representation of Stormy Daniels, with whom Trump evidently had a fling and to whom he later wrote a check. It was a personal check to cover a personal expense, and didn’t come from campaign funds, so there was no legal problem. True, for a presidential contender to have a tawdry affair is seedy at best, but in response I offer two words: John Kennedy. Also two more: Bill Clinton.

At one time, Democrats referred to Avenatti unironically as the “savior of the Republic.” They also touted him as a presidential candidate. But it all fell apart when he was sentenced to prison for robbing Ms. Daniels–Trump treated her much better–and for trying to extort money from Nike.

But that wasn’t the last of it. Now, Avenatti has been sentenced to 14 more years in prison, on top of the sentence he is already serving, for stealing money from his clients[.]

[Note too that the 14-year sentence is *consecutive* to his current 5-year sentence — meaning the clock won’t start ticking on this sentence for at least a few years. — Ed]