Happy Tax Day! (Opening Arguments podcast OA270)

Today's episode brings you a trio of timely stories that all revolve around taxes: the Michael Avenatti indictment (for 29 courts of tax fraud), proposed legislation that some are arguing hamstrings the IRS, and (of course) the status of Congress's efforts to get Trump's tax returns. We also learned about very cool free online tax filing (Free File)... albeit too late to help most of you. Sorry about that.

We begin with the lawyer who will never come on our show -- Michael Avenatti, who rose to fame on the back of the genius of Stormy Daniels, and whom we first debunked as a grifter just a few months later (way back in Episode 181!) Turns out he's been arrested for tax fraud. Who could have seen that coming? (Oh yeah, everyone.)

After that, it's time for a deep dive into HR 1957, the Taxpayer First Act of 2019. Is it really a Democratic-sponsored sellout to Turbotax, as some folks are saying? Listen and find out!

Then, it's time to revisit the question of Trump's taxes. Can Trump really stonewall indefinitely on his taxes? (No.) Does the law pave the way for Democrats to get his tax returns? (Yes.)

After all that, it's time for the answer to TTTBE #122 regarding the nonexistence of official documents. As always, remember to follow our Twitter feed (@Openargs) and like our Facebook Page so that you too can play along with #TTTBE!
Interview:
https://openargs.com/oa270-happy-tax-day/

New Witness Comes Forward Claiming She Saw Brett Kavanaugh Spike Drinks During Parties - Newsweek

Attorney Michael Avenatti said the woman is willing to come forward to assist the FBI with its investigation. ....
https://www.newsweek.com/new-witness-comes-forward-claiming-she-saw-brett-kavanaugh-spike-drinks-1151037

New Witness Accuses Brett Kavanaugh of Setting Up "Gang Rapes" - Mother Jones

Well, um, celebrity lawyer Michael Avenatti has entered the Brett Kavanaugh sweepstakes this morning with a written affadavit from Julie Swetnick, who says she attended many house parties in the early 80s with Kavanaugh and Mark Judge. She describes them as "joined at the hip." And her affadavit is a barnburner: ....
https://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2018/09/new-witness-accuses-brett-kavanaugh-of-setting-up-gang-rapes/

Avenatti to hold 'resistance rally' in Texas the same night as Trump's campaign rally for Cruz - The Hill

Michael Avenatti announced Sunday that he plans to hold an event countering President Trump's campaign rally for Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) in Texas next month. ....
http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/404767-avenatti-to-hold-resistance-rally-in-texas-the-same-night-as-trumps

Unlike Michelle Obama, Michael Avenatti Doesn’t Want Democrats to Take the High Road - Vanity Fair

Why "go high" when you can "fight fire with fire"?....
https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2018/08/michael-avenatti-fight-fire-with-fire-democrat-speech

Attorney Avenatti pounds 'fascist' Stephen Miller for writing immigrant child detention policy -- and vows legal action - Raw Story

Michael Avenatti, the attorney for adult film star Stormy Daniels, took to Twitter on Sunday morning to offer the services of his law firm to help the families who have been ripped apart by the immigration policies of President Donald Trump's administration, resulting in children being held separately in detention camps. ....
https://www.rawstory.com/2018/06/attorney-avenatti-pounds-fascist-stephen-miller-writing-immigrant-child-detention-policy-vows-legal-action/

Michael Avenatti Is Never Going To Come On Our Show (#Notalllawyers) (Opening Arguments podcast OA181)

Today’s episode takes a deep dive into allegations of attorney misconduct. We begin with following investigative reporting concerning the involuntary bankruptcy of the Eagan Avenatti firm, and discover some potentially disturbing facts about the lawyer who’s currently outfoxing the bad guys at every turn, Michael Avenatti.

After that, we discuss the Supreme Court’s recent unanimous per curiam decision in Azar v. Garza, the tragic case of the young woman denied her constitutional right to an abortion and subjected to harassment and “crisis pregnancy center” anti-abortion counseling until the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeal stepped in. So… why did the Supreme Court just vacate that opinion? It (potentially) has to do with attorney misconduct. Oh, and this story also tells you everything you needed to know about price ceilings on underwear in the 1940s. (Really!)

Then, we examine the biggest example of attorney misconduct at the moment — Donald Trump’s ever-fluctuating team of lawyers defending the indefensible. Specifically, we take a look at the recently-leaked Dowd memorandum and its central claim that the President cannot obstruct justice with otherwise-legal behavior. (That’s false.)

Finally, we end the answer to Thomas Takes The Bar Exam #79 regarding the conveyance of property to a church with conditions attached. Remember to follow our Twitter feed (@Openargs) and like our Facebook Page so that you too can play along with #TTTBE!
Interview:
https://openargs.com/oa181-michael-avenatti-is-never-going-to-come-on-our-show-notalllawyers/

It’s Summer (Zervos) Time! (Opening Arguments Podcast OA176)

It’s time for another Rapid Response Friday, which means we get to break down whether Donald Trump has to respond to the Summer Zervos defamation lawsuit. (Hint: yes)

We begin, however, with a potential Stormy Setback. What’s the deal with press reports of a $10 million judgment entered against Stormy Daniels’ attorney, Michael Avenatti? Could it jeopardize the pending litigation? Listen and find out!

After that, we break down the recent federal district court opinion in Knight First Amendment Institute v. Trump, which we covered when the case was first filed way back in Episode 77. Are Donald Trump’s Tweets really a “protected forum” to which the First Amendment applies? Listen and find out!

Then, we break down exactly how duplicitious Donald Trump’s personal lawyer has been regarding the Summer Zervos lawsuit. It’s exactly as much as you’d expect!

Finally, we end with an all new Thomas Takes The Bar Exam #77 regarding the constitutional requirement to a trial by jury. If you’d like to play along with our new Patreon perk, just retweet our episode on Twitter or share it on Facebook along with your guess. We’ll release the answer on next Tuesday’s episode along with our favorite entry!
Interview:
https://openargs.com/oa-176-its-summer-zervos-time/

Is Michael Avenatti Fit to Practice Law in New York? (Opening Arguments podcast OA174)

It’s time for another Rapid Response Friday, which means we get to break down Michael Avenatti’s response to the opposition to his motion to appear pro hac vice in the Southern District of New York — amongst many, many other issues!

We begin, however, with a brief Andrew Lived Through The 1980s segment (formerly: Andrew Was Wrong), that segues into an update on the Panmunjom Declaration discussed in Episode 173.

After that, it’s time to go yodeling, where we break down Paul Manafort’s other criminal trial, Michael Avenatti’s ethical responsibilities regarding SARs, Donald Trump’s financial disclosures, and (sadly) much, much more.

Finally, we end with an all new Thomas Takes The Bar Exam #76 regarding the admissibility of witness testimony. If you’d like to play along with our new Patreon perk, just retweet our episode on Twitter or share it on Facebook along with your guess. We’ll release the answer on next Tuesday’s episode along with our favorite entry!
Interview:
https://openargs.com/oa174-is-michael-avenatti-fit-to-practice-law-in-new-york/

'Circus Act' Rudy DESTROYED in New Attack by Michael Avenatti | AM Joy

Michael Avenatti and Joy Reid take turns clubbing Rudy Giuliani after a disastrous interview with CNN's Chris Cuomo.
Interview:
https://youtu.be/4Q60YewCZNA

Michael Avenatti's Mother's Day bombshell, explained - ThinkProgress.org

On Mother's Day, Michael Avenatti, attorney for Stormy Daniels, posted a cryptic tweet with several images on Trump Tower on December 12, 2016. The photos featured Trump attorney Michael Cohen, who Avenatti is suing on Daniels' behalf, Michael Flynn, Trump's former national security adviser and several men who are more difficult to identify.....
https://thinkprogress.org/michael-avenattis-mothers-day-bombshell-explained-5492cd792fcf/

Michael Cohen Has Been Selling Access To The President - YouTube

Russian oligarchs, phone conglomerates, and pharmaceutical companies. Oh my!...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgXMUHIYoqo