Tom Girardi Disbarred & Ordered To Pay $2 Million To Orphans!
Erika Jayne’s estranged husband, Tom Girardi, has been disbarred and ordered by a court to pay $2 million dollars to orphaned victims.
According to Bloomberg Law, the State Bar Court hit Tom Girardi, 82, with 14 counts of violating ethics rules and California law for embezzling millions from his clients. The once-respected lawyer was ordered on Wednesday to pay $2,282,507 plus 10% interest to the orphans he took money from. Erika Jayne’s husband was also ordered to pay $5,000 in sanctions and state bar costs.
Not only that, but the court also disbarred Tom. The order strikes his name from the California Bar where he’s been a member since 1965. Tom’s law firm, Girardi and Keese, was also found in contempt of withholding money owed to its clients. Girardi declared bankruptcy in December 2020 after he admitted to not having funds to pay his clients. A recent filing of the law firm’s case revealed they have a total of $517 million in claims.
The breakdown is listed as $363 million in unsecured claims, $17 million in priority claims, $137 million in secured claims, and another $250k in administrative claims. Girardi’s former clients accused him of using their money to fund his and his wife’s lavish lifestyle. Tom and his wife, Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star, Erika, were allegedly using clients’ money to fund their extravagant lifestyles on the reality TV series.
In an emailed statement, the Bar Chief Trial Counsel, George Cardona, said they are doing all they can to ensure what happened to Tom’s victims never happens again. “Thomas Girardi has done significant and profound harm to many and while his disbarment does not minimize those impacts, it is an acknowledgment of the people he victimized,” the statement read.
Tom Girardi is currently living at a senior assisted living home — a far cry from his lavish mansion with Erika. The disgraced lawyer did not participate in the court’s proceedings since his family had earlier declared that he was diagnosed with dementia. Despite trying to distance herself from the scandal, Erika, 50, is also facing legal action from her husband’s clients who accuse her of spending the stolen money on trips, jewelry, and other luxury items.
According to the court papers, Erika is being sued along with her company, EJ Global LLC, by Edelson PC. The firm is seeking no less than $55 million in damages for the families of the Lion Air Flight victims. The suit accused Erika of being the frontwoman for Girardi’s schemes because of her role in The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.
Stay Connected With All About The Tea: Twitter Ι Instagram Ι YouTube Ι Facebook Ι Send Us Tips
