Tom Girardi Gets 7 YEARS for Scamming His Own Clients Out of $15M in 10-Year Fraud Scheme!
Thomas Girardi, the former high-profile attorney and estranged husband of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Erika Jayne, has been sentenced to seven years and three months in federal prison following his conviction for defrauding vulnerable clients out of more than $15 million.
The 86-year-old was handed the sentence on Monday by U.S. District Judge Josephine Staton, nearly a year after a jury found him guilty of orchestrating a decade-long Ponzi-style scheme through his now-defunct law firm, Girardi Keese. In addition to prison time, Tom must pay more than $2.3 million in restitution and a $35,000 fine.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, Tom strung along his clients with false promises and misleading statements, lying about the status of their legal settlements and creating fake roadblocks to delay payments.
“Tom sent lulling communications to the defrauded clients that, among other things, falsely denied that the settlement proceeds had been paid and falsely claimed that Girardi Keese could not pay the settlement proceeds to clients until certain purported requirements had been met,” prosecutors stated in a June 3 press release, citing fabricated explanations such as outstanding tax obligations, bankruptcy proceedings, and judicial delays.
U.S. Attorney Bilal Essayli did not mince words when describing the disgraced legal figure.
“This self-proclaimed ‘champion of justice’ was nothing more than a thief and a liar who conned his vulnerable clients out of millions of dollars,” Bilal said.
Prior to sentencing, Tom’s legal team requested that the court allow him to serve time in a mental health care facility due to his diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease and claims of diminished capacity. However, Judge Staton expressed doubt about the severity of his condition and ruled that incarceration in a federal prison would be appropriate and safe.
Tom Girardi appeared in court using a wheelchair, reportedly showing little emotion as the sentence was read. Tom former chief of accounting, Christopher Kamon, who was also implicated in the fraud scheme, has already been sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to wire fraud earlier this year.
Meanwhile, David Lira, Girardi’s son-in-law and a former attorney at the firm, is scheduled to stand trial next month on related fraud charges.
Tom Girardi’s estranged wife, Erika Jayne, remains embroiled in ongoing litigation connected to the fallout. She is currently facing a $24 million lawsuit brought by the bankruptcy trustee overseeing the remains of Girardi Keese. Her trial is expected later this year.
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Nancy Zhāng is an Entertainment Blogger for All About The Tea. Nancy covers hot topics, recaps and celeb news. She loves to multi-task as a writer and a private chef. She received a B.S. in Mass Communications from LSU. Nancy’s married and the proud mom of 2 German Shepherds.