The estranged husband of a 'Real Housewives' star was sentenced for embezzling tens of millions from clients of his law firm
Thomas Girardi, 86, was sentenced to seven years and three months in federal prison and ordered to pay about $2.3 million in restitution and a $35,000 fine by US District Judge Josephine L. Staton. She ordered Girardi to surrender to federal authorities by July 17.
Girardi was charged in federal court last year in Chicago with eight counts of wire fraud and four counts of contempt of court for embezzling millions in settlement money. He was found guilty by a jury in August 2024 of four counts of wire fraud.
Girardi, who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's, was a personal injury attorney and ran the now-defunct law firm, Girardi Keese, in Los Angeles.
The US Attorney's office for the Central District of California said in a statement that Girardi stole millions of dollars in client settlement funds and failed to make payments to the firm's clients, some of whom had suffered serious injuries in accidents.
United States Attorney Bill Essayli said: "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."
Girardi was known for taking on powerful corporations in high-profile cases. One lawsuit against California's Pacific Gas and Electric utility led to a $333 million settlement and was depicted in the 2000 film "Erin Brockovich" that starred Julia Roberts.
The US Attorney's office said one client who suffered severe burns all over his body when a natural gas pipeline exploded in California in 2010 received just $2.5 million of a $53 million settlement.
The US Attorney's office said Girardi diverted more than $25 million to cover expenses for EJ Global, his estranged wife Erika Jayne 's performance and entertainment company.
Jayne, who appears in Bravo's "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills," has denied any involvement and was not charged.
Girardi Keese was forced into involuntary bankruptcy in late 2020 and the State Bar of California disbarred Girardi in July 2022.
Christopher Kamon, the former head of Girardi Keese's accounting department, was sentenced in April to 10 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to two counts of wire fraud. He was a co-conspirator in facilitating the embezzlement and falsifying financial records and was ordered to repay nearly $9 million.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Cosmopolitan
4 hours ago
- Cosmopolitan
The first ever Real Housewives of London cast, ranked: Verdict on the wives who will cause the most drama
Real Housewives fans, it's time to rejoice: the hit series is making its way to London for the first time ever! Yep, the Real Housewives of London will make its debut on Monday 18 August and we couldn't be more excited, after years of following the drama on the US versions including the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, the Real Housewives of Atlanta, and the Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, to name a few. "The Real Housewives of London introduces six glamorous, stylish, and bold women who are making their mark across the capital's most prestigious postcodes," a synopsis of the series reads. "From Belgravia to Chelsea, these women balance ambition, family, and fierce friendships – all while living life at full volume." "With big personalities, deep histories, and no shortage of designer drama, the path to connection is never simple – but it's always captivating," the synopsis continues. "London's calling... and this group always answers." The series, which will be available to watch on Hayu, will run for 10 episodes with a reunion special hosted by Katherine Ryan, rather than the usual reunion host, Bravo's Andy Cohen. Ahead of its highly-anticipated release, we've taken a deep dive into the housewives that will appear on the very first London edition, giving our verdict on who is most likely to bring the tea. Piping hot, with two sugars, no less. Here's everything you need to know about the cast of the Real Housewives of London season one, and our ranking on which wives will cause the most drama... Age: 49 Profession: Actress turned creative producer Marital status: Married, with two children Instagram: @julietmayhew Who is Juliet Mayhew? Australian native Julia is a former Miss Galaxy Universe who now lives in one of Chelsea's most desirable neighbourhoods with partner, 'Tiggy', and their two teenage kids. A former actress, she now hosts immersive events and is a "committed philanthropist" – that, combined with her past as a Miss Galaxy Universe contestant makes us think she could be the peacekeeper of the group. That being said, she has a close friendship with Ladies of London and Real Housewives of Dubai star, Caroline Stanbury... so maybe a taste for drama isn't totally out of scope when it comes to Juliet. Age: 42 Profession: Former Head of Global & International Equity FMAs turned literal cake boss Marital status: Married, with three children Instagram: @nessiewelschinger Who is Nessie Welschinger? Born and raised in London, Nessie lives in Chelsea – and also owns a 500-year-old Cotswolds estate – with her husband, Remy, and their three kids. She swapped business for baking, and currently runs the renowned Chelsea Cake Company, which infamously made one of Queen Elizabeth II's 90th birthday cakes. Unlike some of the other Real Housewives of London, Nessie hasn't got many ties to the world of reality TV but previously appeared on Bake Off: The Professionals, so we reckon the only pots she stirs are filled with cake batter! Age: 48 Profession: Social media influencer, global brand partner, stylist, and former fashion publicist Marital status: Married, with two kids Instagram: @juliet Who is Juliet Angus? Born in Chicago but now a resident of glamorous West London, you'll recognise Juliet from Bravo's Ladies of London. A former fashion publicist – yep, she's giving major Samantha Jones energy – Juliet now works as a social media influencer, global brand partner, and stylist. Having already spent three years on Ladies of London, we're pretty confident that Juliet knows how to stir up a great storyline. Drama, incoming... Age: 50 Profession: Fashion label owner Marital status: Married, with three children Instagram: @karenloderickpeace Who is Karen Loderick-Peace? Born in Jamaica, Karen moved to the UK in her twenties and now shares five (yes, five!) luxurious London homes with her husband Jeremy, former chairman and owner of West Bromwich Albion F.C. Peace by name, but not necessarily by nature, we reckon Karen's experience on Real Housewives of Jersey and Real Housewives of Cheshire will cement her as a leading lady on the London edition of the franchise. Age: 51 Profession: Socialite Marital status: Married, with three kids Instagram: @thepantheaparker Who is Panthea Parker? Born in Iran, Panthea moved to the UK at the age of four and now lives in North London with her lawyer husband, Ed, and their three children. She also has an adult son from her first marriage. A well-known figure on the London social scene, Panthea made a name for herself in Mayfair, rubbing shoulders with A-listers at Annabel's as a glamorous party girl in the nineties. Considering she once got revenge on her cheating ex by maxxing out his credit card on a £140,000 shopping spree, we have no doubt she will bring the heat on Real Housewives of London. Age: 56 Profession: Former model turned entrepreneur Marital status: Divorced and single, with one daughter Instagram: @amandacarolinecronin Who is Amanda Cronin? Former model Amanda now runs a successful skincare brand plus an aesthetics and wellness clinic in Belgravia. She has one daughter, a 27-year-old artist, and is a fixture on London's elite social scene (peep her Instagram for a look at her jet-set lifestyle). With close ties to US housewives, including Meredith Marks and Dorinda Medley, Amanda is no stranger when it comes to the recipe to reality TV success. And, as far as drama goes, she's sure to bring plenty, having already revealed (to the BBC) that producers told her she was causing "too much" on day one! The Real Housewives of London debuts exclusively on Hayu on 18 August.
Bloomberg
18 hours ago
- Bloomberg
All That Talk About the Panama Canal Could Pay Off — For Panama
Save This is Bloomberg Opinion Today, the feverish diplomatic action in Bloomberg Opinion's opinions. Sign up here. Here's an insanely niche pop culture fact 1 that you can casually drop at your next dinner party: Luann de Lesseps — AKA 'The Countess' from The Real Housewives of New York City — married, had kids with and then divorced a descendant of Ferdinand de Lesseps, the French diplomat who developed the Suez Canal and attempted — key word! — to build the Panama Canal.
The Onion
a day ago
- The Onion
George R.R. Martin Finally Finishes Writing Sequel To ‘Erin Brockovich'
SANTA FE, NM—Stressing that fans of the franchise were about to be richly rewarded for their patience, author George R.R. Martin announced Tuesday that he had finally finished writing his sequel to the 2000 film Erin Brockovich . 'At long last, the wait is over—my script for Erin Brockovich 2: A Kiss Of Chromium is officially complete!' Martin said in a press statement, adding that the project had stalled as a result of his involvement in other creative ventures, as well as his perfectionism and desire to give the Erin Brockovich character the ending he felt she deserved. 'It took more than a decade of hard work to build out the setting of California enough to make this sequel feel real. But I think fans are ultimately going to be glad I took my time writing it, even the ones who spent years badgering me to hurry up! Now that it's complete, I have plans for a prequel series set 8,000 years before the original Erin Brockovich .' At press time, Martin had reportedly delayed the sequel for rewrites after spoilers about Erin Brockovich's life leaked on her Wikipedia page.
