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Attorney Michael Avenatti faces November date in Nike extortion trial

Avenatti is charged with trying to extort $25 million from Nike by threatening to go public with claims the company 'bribed' players, including Oregon's Bol Bol.

Editor's note: The video above is from March 26, 2019

NEW YORK — California attorney Michael Avenatti learned Tuesday that he faces a November trial date on charges he tried to extort millions of dollars from Nike.

The Nov. 12 trial date was set by U.S. District Judge Paul G. Gardephe at a pretrial hearing in Manhattan.

Avenatti participated by telephone. Afterward, he said in a statement that he looks forward to a New York jury hearing all evidence related to Nike.

"I have complete confidence in the truth and am confident that I will be exonerated at the end of the trial," he said.

RELATED: Michael Avenatti tweets documents alleging Nike 'bribed' players, including Oregon's Bol Bol

His lawyer, Scott Srebnick, said it was likely that he'll challenge the government's prosecution on several fronts prior to trial.

The challenges will include whether searches of Avenatti's electronic devices and other property were carried out legally.

Another Tuesday hearing scheduled over allegations he defrauded porn star Stormy Daniels was postponed. That case in which Avenatti is accused of pocketing several hundred thousand dollars paid to Daniels as part of a book deal is proceeding before a different federal judge.

RELATED: Michael Avenatti charged with defrauding Stormy Daniels

Avenatti was charged in March with trying to extort up to $25 million from Nike by threatening to go public with claims that the sportwear company was facilitating improper payouts to promising young athletes and their families.

RELATED: 'Nike will not be extorted': Company responds to Michael Avenatti's $25M extortion attempt

Avenatti gained fame representing Daniels over a nondisclosure deal regarding an alleged affair with President Donald Trump.

He also faces federal fraud charges in California.

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