US porn star Stephanie Clifford, also known as Stormy Daniels, with her lawyer Michael Avenatti. COURTESY PHOTO
US porn star Stormy Daniels has been arrested in a strip club in Columbus, Ohio, according to her lawyer. Ms Daniels was
arrested for allegedly letting a customer touch her on stage “in a non sexual manner”, lawyer Michael Avenatti tweeted.
Ms Daniels became embroiled in a row with President Donald Trump after saying she slept with him in 2006, an allegation
which he denies. Her lawyer called the arrest “a setup” and “politically motivated”.
A Columbus police spokesperson has yet to respond to requests for confirmation about the arrest at the Sirens club in the
north of the city. Mr Avenatti tweeted that Ms Daniels, real name Stephanie Clifford, had been performing “the same act she
has performed across the nation at nearly a hundred strip clubs”.
US President Donald Trump (L) and adult film star Stormy Daniels (R). AFP PHOTO
“Just rcvd word that my client @StormyDaniels was arrested in Columbus Ohio whole performing the same act she has performed across the nation at nearly a hundred strip clubs. This was a setup & politically motivated. It reeks of desperation. We will fight all bogus charges. #Basta,” the lawyer tweeted.
READ: Porn star sues Trump over alleged sexual affair and ‘hush’ deal
He said he expected her to be released on bail shortly and charged with a misdemeanour and vowed to “vehemently contest all charges”. An Ohio law known as the Community Defense Act proscribes anyone touching a nude or semi-nude dancer, unless they are related.
Sirens tweeted last month to say Ms Daniels would make two “exclusive appearances” at the venue on the nights of 11 and 12 July.
A person who answered the phone at Sirens declined to comment. Ms Daniels says she was paid $130,000 (£98,000) shortly before the 2016 presidential election to keep quiet about her alleged sexual encounter with Mr Trump. She is trying to free herself from a non-disclosure agreement signed before the election, and suing over a “defamatory” tweet by the US president earlier this year. Mr Trump denies all allegations.