Tom Girardi, former attorney and estranged husband of “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” star Erika Jayne, was sentenced to seven years and three months in prison for embezzling millions of dollars from his former clients. The U.S. District Judge Josephine L. Staton also ordered Girardi to pay $2.3 million in restitution to victims and a $35,000 fine. The sentencing took place in Los Angeles following his conviction last year.
Girardi Convicted Of Embezzling Millions, Exploiting Clients, With Accomplices Facing Charges
Girardi was found guilty of stealing tens of millions in settlement funds from clients over more than a decade. Among the victims were relatives of those killed in the 2018 Lion Air crash that claimed 189 lives. Girardi ran the now-closed Girardi Keese law firm and used deceptive tactics to delay payments to clients by citing bogus legal and financial requirements, as revealed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
After a 13-day trial, Girardi was convicted on four counts of wire fraud. His former head of accounting, Christopher Kamon, pleaded guilty to aiding in the fraud and was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Additionally, Girardi’s son-in-law, David Lira, is set to face trial for related federal fraud charges next month. Federal prosecutors condemned Girardi’s actions, emphasizing how he exploited vulnerable clients for personal gain.
From Erin Brockovich Fame to Embezzlement and Personal Turmoil in Girardi’s Life
Girardi is famously known for his role in the 1993 Erin Brockovich environmental lawsuit but was revealed to have diverted over $25 million from his law firm’s accounts to fund luxury expenses for Erika Jayne’s entertainment company, including cars, jets, and jewelry. Erika Jayne filed for divorce in 2020, citing Girardi’s mental and physical decline. Though she was named in a lawsuit alleging she knew about the fraud, she was later dismissed from the suit.
Despite his lawyers’ claims that Girardi suffers from Alzheimer’s disease, he was deemed fit for trial and sentenced while living in assisted care. He is required to surrender to federal authorities by mid-July. At the time of sentencing, Erika Jayne was in London preparing for a performance, reflecting publicly on overcoming personal hardships and taking small steps to heal from difficult experiences.
