Disbarred lawyer Girardi found guilty of embezzling millions from clients
Girardi faces 80-year sentence for embezzling millions from accident victims
Tom Girardi, a disbarred celebrity lawyer, was found guilty on Tuesday of embezzling tens of millions of dollars from clients, including those with severe physical injuries and families of accident victims. After a 13-day trial and less than a full day of deliberations, a federal jury in Los Angeles convicted the 85-year-old on four counts of wire fraud.
Girardi, estranged husband of “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” star Erika Jayne, was featured on the show multiple times between 2015 and 2020. He was once a leading lawyer in the United States, known for representing disaster victims against large corporations. One notable case against California’s Pacific Gas and Electric resulted in a $333 million settlement and was depicted in the 2000 film “Erin Brockovich,” starring Julia Roberts. However, his legal empire fell, leading to his disbarment in California in 2022 for client thefts.
Former clients who testified included an Arizona woman whose husband died in a boat accident and victims of a 2010 gas pipeline explosion in San Bruno, south of San Francisco. U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada stated, “Tom Girardi built celebrity status and lured in victims by falsely portraying himself as a ‘Champion of Justice.’ In reality, he was a Robin-Hood-in-reverse.”
Disbarred Lawyer Tom Girardi Found Guilty of Embezzling Millions From Clients https://t.co/IwFvh9NFzs
— Variety (@Variety) August 28, 2024
Girardi’s attorneys did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the conviction. Defense lawyers attempted to place the blame on his firm’s chief financial officer, Chris Kamon, who faces separate charges and has pleaded not guilty. They described Girardi as a figurehead with a valuable name in recent years. Prosecutors, however, played voicemails in court where Girardi gave false explanations for why court-awarded money could not be paid, citing tax and debt obligations and judge authorizations. He often told clients, “Don’t be mad at me.”
Girardi’s defense also argued that he was not fit to stand trial due to an Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis, which had led to another court placing him in a conservatorship under his brother. Prosecutors countered that Girardi was exaggerating his symptoms, and a judge ruled him competent for trial.
Girardi faces a potential 80-year prison sentence at his December sentencing and remains free until then. He is also facing federal wire fraud charges in Chicago, accused of stealing about $3 million from the families of victims of a 2018 Lion Air crash that killed 189 people.
What Other Media Are Saying
- The US News reports that disbarred celebrity lawyer Tom Girardi was convicted of embezzling millions from his clients, leading to extensive financial losses and legal repercussions.(read more)
- Yahoo News reports on the conviction of disbarred celebrity lawyer Tom Girardi for embezzling tens of millions of dollars from his clients, including individuals suffering from serious injuries and families of those who lost their lives in accidents.(read more)
- ABC News reports that disbarred celebrity lawyer Tom Girardi has been found guilty of embezzling tens of millions of dollars from his clients, including those with severe physical injuries and families of accident victims.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
Who is Tom Girardi?
Tom Girardi is a disbarred celebrity lawyer convicted of embezzling tens of millions from clients.
What was Tom Girardi convicted of?
Tom Girardi was convicted of four counts of wire fraud for embezzling client funds.
Who is Erika Jayne in relation to Tom Girardi?
Erika Jayne is the estranged wife of Tom Girardi and a star of ‘The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.’
What notable case did Tom Girardi work on?
Tom Girardi worked on a lawsuit against Pacific Gas and Electric, leading to a $333 million settlement, featured in ‘Erin Brockovich.’
What is Tom Girardi’s potential sentence?
He could face up to 80 years in prison at his sentencing scheduled for December.
