Tom Girardi, a former cast member on “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” and a disbarred attorney in the state of California, was found guilty on Tuesday of stealing at least The settlement payouts from his clients totaled fifteen million dollars.
Tom Girardi Biography
| Name | Tom Girardi |
| Age | 85 years |
| Net Worth | $100 thousand |
| Country | American |
According to the announcement made by the United States Attorney’s Office, the jury in the federal courthouse in Los Angeles determined that the 85-year-old defendant was guilty of four counts of wire fraud. The date of his sentencing is set for December 6th, and he might face a maximum sentence of 80 years in jail, with 20 years for each count.
According to the attorney’s office, the estranged spouse of Bravo actress Erika Jayne was accused of deceiving and stealing money from customers, while at the same time spending money on luxurious private jets and golf club memberships. The allegations were made in the context of personal injury lawsuits.
As stated in a statement, “Tom Girardi built celebrity status and lured in victims by falsely portraying himself as a ‘Champion of Justice,'” said the United States Attorney for the District of Columbia, Martin Estrada. In reality, he was like a Robin Hood in reverse—taking from those who needed help to fund his own extravagant Hollywood lifestyle.
Who is Tom Girardi?
Girardi, who resides in Seal Beach, which is located in Orange County, Southern California, is a famous lawyer who has since been disbarred. He is notable in part for his participation in the groundwater pollution case that Pacific Gas & Electric filed in 1993. This litigation served as the inspiration for the film “Erin Brockovich,” which was nominated for an Academy Award in the year 2000.
According to the United States Attorney’s Office, Girardi was once regarded as a “powerful figure in California’s legal community.” He was the proprietor of the Girardi Keese law business, which was compelled to make an involuntary bankruptcy filing in the latter half of the year 2020. It was in July of 2022 when the State Bar of California refused to allow him to continue practicing law.
Moreover, Girardi is well-known for her role as a former star on the reality show “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.” For the most recent seasons of the reality show, Girardi’s legal fights with Erika Jayne have become a subplot. Additionally, these struggles will be covered in the documentary series “The Housewife and the Hustler,” which will be released in 2021.
What Happened in Girardi’s Trial?
During the course of the thirteen-day trial, Girardi transferred the responsibility to Christopher Kamon, who had previously served as the chief financial officer of the law company that is now no longer in operation. He accused Kamon of misleading customers.
Kamon is also facing charges of wire fraud, and he has entered a plea of not guilty. His trial in Los Angeles is scheduled to take place in January. According to the allegations, he stole ten million dollars from the legal company and used it to pay for substantial home refurbishment, sports cars, and an escort. He is facing separate accusations for this crime.
In an effort to obtain a response on the verdict, USA TODAY has contacted both the public defense lawyers for Girardi and the attorneys for Kamon.
No visible reaction to verdict in courtroom
It was reported by Reuters that Girardi did not exhibit any noticeable reaction when the verdict of the jury was read out loud in the courtroom.
In their argument, his attorneys claimed that the former attorney is afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease. According to KABC-TV, a court made the decision earlier this year that Girardi possessed sufficient knowledge and skills to aid his legal team throughout the trial. According to the station, he was released on a bond of $250,000 and is currently residing in a memory ward in Orange County.
There are also criminal allegations against Girardi in a case that is being investigated in Chicago. In this case, he is accused of stealing over three million dollars in client funds from the relatives of victims of the Lion Air Flight jet tragedy that occurred in Indonesia in 2018. The crash resulted in the deaths of 189 people. There is a trial planned to take place on March 3, 2025.
The accusation against Girardi includes Kamon and Girardi’s son-in-law, who also worked at Girardi Keese. Girardi is also being charged. Nobody has been found guilty by any of the three.
FAQS
Tom Girardi, who was formerly known as a distinguished lawyer, is currently dealing with significant legal and financial issues, including allegations that he stole money from his clients. As of the year 2024, he is the subject of an inquiry and has been sued not once, but twice. Furthermore, it has been revealed that Girardi is afflicted with major health problems, one of which is dementia.
Erika Jayne, a reality TV actress and singer, entered into a marriage with Tom Girardi that lasted for twenty-one years. After getting married in 1999, they divorced in the year 2020.
When compared to Erika Jayne, Tom Girardi is a considerable amount older. According to estimates, he is roughly 33 years older than Erika, who was born on July 10, 1971. He was born on June 3, 1939.
