Tom Girardi, the once-celebrated lawyer who became a familiar face thanks to his appearances on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, has been sentenced to more than seven years in prison after being found guilty of stealing millions from his clients.
The 86-year-old, who was married to reality star Erika Jayne (Erika Girardi), was handed an 87-month sentence by a federal judge in Los Angeles on Tuesday, June 3, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
Girardi’s fall from grace is nothing short of dramatic. He was once hailed as a “champion of justice” for his work on high-profile cases, including the landmark lawsuit against Pacific Gas and Electric that inspired the film Erin Brockovich.
But things took a turn when it was revealed he’d been running his law firm, Girardi Keese, “like a Ponzi scheme” for a decade, siphoning off more than $15 million USD (around $23 miilion AUD) from clients who were often at their lowest point — people who had suffered catastrophic injuries or lost loved ones in tragic accidents.
The court heard that Girardi lied to clients, telling them their settlements were delayed due to “bogus” requirements like tax obligations or court authorisations, while he was actually using their money to fund a lavish lifestyle — think private jets, luxury cars, jewellery, and country club memberships. Prosecutors also said more than $25 million (around $39 million AUD) went to EJ Global, a company tied to Erika Jayne’s entertainment career.
U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli didn’t hold back in his assessment, “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. My office will vigorously prosecute corrupt lawyers and those who assist them in criminal activities,” he said, per New York Times.
Girardi’s legal team argued that, given his age and health — he’s been diagnosed with dementia and late-onset Alzheimer’s — he should be allowed to serve his sentence in a care facility rather than prison. But Judge Josephine Staton was unconvinced, noting that medical experts found Girardi competent enough to be sentenced and that the Bureau of Prisons could accommodate his needs.
In addition to prison time, Girardi was ordered to pay more than $2.3 million in restitution and a $35,000 fine. He must surrender to authorities by July 17. Erika Jayne, who filed for divorce in 2020, has not been charged in connection with her ex-husband’s crimes and did not provide a comment following the sentencing.
The Girardi saga has rocked both the legal world and reality TV fans. As Judge Staton put it during sentencing, “Mr. Girardi further victimised these people and did so at the lowest point in their lives.”
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