LOS ANGELES — A ruling issued this week by a Superior Court judge has cleared attorney Mark Geragos of liability in a malpractice lawsuit stemming from his association with Michael Avenatti and a controversial Nike extortion case. The jury found that while Avenatti’s former client, Gary Franklin, was entitled to $100,000 in damages, they did not establish that Geragos was at fault or that his actions caused Franklin’s alleged harm.
Franklin had sought millions in damages from Geragos, arguing that the attorney’s involvement in negotiations with Nike in 2019 contributed to Avenatti’s federal convictions for felony crimes. Jurors deliberated on July 16 and concluded that Franklin suffered non-economic damages, but they did not endorse claims of fraud against Geragos.
The verdict indicated that the jury believed Geragos provided substantial assistance to Avenatti, knowing about the harm Franklin faced. However, they determined his involvement was not a significant factor in the damages incurred by Franklin. They also found that while Geragos owed Franklin a fiduciary duty, he did not breach that duty.
Sean Macias, Geragos’ attorney, argued in his motion for judgment that given the jury’s findings on liability, there was no basis to hold Geragos responsible for any damages. He noted that the jury had marked several forms, suggesting a zero award for economic damage while ultimately concluding with the $100,000 for non-economic damages. Macias called this award unfounded, saying it did not align with the jury’s conclusions regarding Geragos’ legal responsibility.
Despite initial intentions to challenge the verdict, Franklin’s attorney, Trent Copeland, did not oppose the motion for judgment, signing off on the order, which led to the court’s final verdict in favor of Geragos. On September 26, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Steve Cochran signed the judgment, stating that Franklin would not recover any damages in this case.
In a twist, Geragos cited his work ethic in a text in response to inquiries about the case, referencing rapper Cardi B to indicate he would not settle or be coerced into financial concessions due to the lawsuit.
Franklin, who previously testified against Avenatti in his criminal trial, stated that he had initially sought Avenatti’s assistance due to pressure from Nike executives. He claimed he was unaware that Avenatti would engage Geragos in the negotiations, which took a turn, ultimately leading to Avenatti’s conviction and a settlement with Nike that netted Franklin only $160,000.
This case adds to the complexities surrounding Avenatti, who is currently serving time and is set for release in 2028. The courtroom saga appears to be far from over, as involved parties may continue to grapple with forthcoming challenges stemming from the high-profile case.
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