The federal charges were disclosed in The Los Angeles Times and other news outlets.
Federal prosecutors in California planned a news conference for later in the day Thursday.
Avenatti will face 36 counts of perjury and various financial crimes. Prosecutors say he received settlements for clients, but he did not inform them and kept and hid the money.
“I intend to fully fight all charges and plead not guilty,” Avenatti said on Twitter on Thursday. “I look forward to the entire truth being known as opposed to a one-sided version meant to sideline me.”
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He also evaded taxes on the money, prosecutors say.
“For 20 years, I have represented Davids vs. Goliaths and relied on due process and our system of justice,” Avenatti said on Twitter. “Along the way, I have made many powerful enemies. I am entitled to a full presumption of innocence and am confident that justice will be done once all of the facts are known.”
Avenatti is already facing charges in New York of trying to extort millions of dollars from Nike, threatening to reveal improper payments to basketball recruits.
Avenatti, 48, was a fixture on cable news as an antagonist to Trump as Daniels’ case played out.
Two suits by Daniels, an adult film actress, against Trump have been dismissed.
This article originally appeared in The New York Times.