Ex-Stormy Daniels lawyer Michael Avenatti pleads guilty to fraud and tax charges

Michael Avenatti (John Minchillo/AP)

Incarcerated lawyer Michael Avenatti has pleaded guilty to four counts of wire fraud and a tax-related charge in a federal court case in Southern California accusing him of cheating his clients out of millions of dollars.

Avenatti made the plea during a court hearing on Thursday in Santa Ana. Prosecutors said the plea subjects Avenatti to as much as 83 years in prison