A Manhattan federal judge on Monday refused to dismiss two counts of an indictment accusing Michael Avenatti of trying to extort Nike Inc. by threatening to go public with allegations that the company made illicit payments to the families of college basketball recruits.

U.S. District Judge Paul G. Gardephe of the Southern District of New York said in an 18-page opinion that the embattled attorney would have to face charges of extortion and transmitting interstate communications with intent to extort in an alleged plot to damage Nike’s bottom line and reputation, unless the athletic apparel giant agree to pay him millions of dollars.