In the Johnson theft, the indictment alleges, Avenatti received $4 million from Los Angeles County in 2015 to settle the paraplegic's suit over his treatment at the Twin Towers Correctional Facility. Johnson, who was suicidal, jumped twice from an upper floor of the jail, injuring himself so badly the second time that he can never walk again, according to the suit.
After getting the $4 million, the indictment says, Avenatti did not tell Johnson the money had arrived. He soon funneled most of the money through multiple bank accounts. It landed in the accounts of GB Autosport, LLC, which managed Avenatti's race-car team, and Global Baristas U.S., his troubled Seattle coffee company, according to the indictment.
In just over five months, Avenatti had spent the entire $4 million, but never told Johnson, the grand jury alleged. Instead, over the next four years, he paid Johnson a total of $124,000 in installments ranging from $1,000 to $1,900 and made some rent payments at Johnson's assisted living facility.
He falsely told Johnson the payments were "advances" on a county settlement payment that had not yet arrived, according to the grand jury.
