Disbarred Lawyer Tom Girardi Found Guilty of Embezzling Millions From Clients

As a movie lover with a keen eye for justice, this Tom Girardi case leaves me utterly disillusioned and appalled. The man who once portrayed himself as a champion of the downtrodden, a crusader for the underdog, has been exposed as a mastermind of deceit and fraud. It’s like watching a tragic twist in a Hollywood movie where the hero turns out to be the villain.


Lawyer Tom Girardi, who was previously disbarred due to ethical issues, has been convicted for orchestrating a multi-year fraud involving the misappropriation of more than tens of millions of dollars that belonged to his personal injury clients.

Following a 13-day long court case, Girardi was found guilty on the 4th count of wire fraud, as declared Tuesday. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for December 6th, where he may receive a potential penalty of up to 20 years in federal prison for each charge.

Girardi gained recognition for his involvement in a significant lawsuit against Pacific Gas and Electric Company (California) in 1993, which later served as the basis for the movie “Erin Brockovich” starring Julia Roberts. This legal action resulted in a $333 million settlement in 1996. Furthermore, Girardi is married to Erika Jayne, a cast member on “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills,” and made appearances on the show from 2015 until 2020.

“Tom Girardi gained fame by pretending to be an advocate for justice, but in truth, he was more like a reversed Robin Hood, taking from the vulnerable to maintain his extravagant Hollywood lifestyle. The jury’s decision today makes it clear that his deception has been exposed – we now see him for who he truly is: a callous betrayer of victims.”

According to statements made by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in California, it was revealed during a trial that Thomas Girardi, a former attorney, illegally took and misused millions of dollars that belonged to his clients from his now-closed law firm, Girardi Keese. Furthermore, Girardi did not pay the money owed to several of his clients who had been severely injured in accidents and were represented by his firm. This deceptive practice was carried out by Girardi between October 2010 and late 2020.

“Tom Girardi allegedly transferred numerous millions from his law firm’s main account to cover unnecessary costs, such as over $25 million for the expenses of EJ Global, a company linked to his wife’s entertainment ventures. Additionally, he used funds from Girardi Keese for luxury items like private jets, jewelry, high-end automobiles, and exclusive golf and social clubs, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.”

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2024-08-28 08:46