Photo Credit: Irfan Khan | Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
Tom Girardi, once a reputed attorney and the estranged husband of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Erika Jayne, has become a central figure in one of the most shocking legal scandals in recent history. Once revered for his high-profile cases, Girardi now faces the consequences of a massive wire fraud scheme that defrauded millions from his clients.
Let’s delve into the details of Tom Girardi’s wire fraud case.
Tom Girardi found guilty for wire fraud
Tom Girardi has been convicted of wire fraud, marking a significant fall for the once-respected legal figure. A federal jury in Los Angeles found Girardi guilty on four counts of embezzling millions of dollars from his clients. This also includes embezzling $3 million from families of victims of the 2018 Lion Air crash (via NBC News).
The 13-day trial revealed that Girardi, now 85, had misused funds from his clients’ trust accounts for over a decade. Prosecutors outlined how he took advantage of vulnerable clients, many of whom were dealing with life-altering injuries or personal tragedies, to finance a lavish lifestyle. This included extravagant spending on private jet travel and other luxuries.
Despite efforts by his defense team to shift the blame onto the firm’s former CFO Christopher Kamon, Girardi was found guilty on all charges. The defense had argued that Girardi’s health issues, including a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s, made him unfit for trial. However, the court ultimately ruled that he was competent to stand trial, believing his symptoms were overstated.
U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada criticized Girardi’s actions, highlighting the betrayal of trust and the severe impact on his clients. Many of the clients testified about the hardships they faced due to his misconduct. Estrada said, “His insatiable appetite for money is what led him to court and what led to this verdict today.”
The conviction brings an end to Girardi’s legal career, with his sentencing scheduled for December 6. Until then, Girardi remains free, as the court determined he is not a flight risk or a danger to the public.
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