Feds say ex-firm of Stormy Daniels’ lawyer owes unpaid taxes

The Justice Department says Stormy Daniels’ lawyer, Michael Avenatti, made “misrepresentations” in a bankruptcy case involving his former law firm that owes more than $440,000 in unpaid federal taxes.

Avenatti said Wednesday he doesn’t owe any money personally and called the court filing “politically motivated.”

Court records showed Avenatti’s former firm, Eagan Avenatti LLP, agreed to pay about $2.4 million in back taxes and penalties as part of a resolution of a bankruptcy case.

Some of the money was paid. But Justice Department lawyers filed papers Tuesday asking a federal judge to compel the payment of $440,291 in unpaid taxes and more than $11,700 in interest.

They said Avenatti ignored collection attempts and “made misrepresentations to the detriment” of the U.S.

The firm is separate from the one representing Daniels.