A Manhattan federal judge on Tuesday ordered the release of sworn documents pertaining to Michael Avenatti's inability to pay his attorneys in a criminal case accusing him of stealing money from his former client Stormy Daniels.

Avenatti, the embattled attorney who is facing multiple criminal trials on both coasts, had filed financial affidavits temporarily under seal as a part of his application for court-appointed counsel last year, and opposed their public release, saying there was a "real and appreciable risk" that prosecutors would use his testimony against him.