16-05-2025
Charges dropped against Tom Girardi in Chicago as California sentence awaits
May 16 (Reuters) - A federal judge in Chicago has dismissed, opens new tab pending criminal charges against disbarred attorney Tom Girardi, who is already facing possible prison time for stealing millions of dollars in client funds.
Federal prosecutors in Illinois had indicated for months that they could drop their case against Girardi, 85, after he was convicted of wire fraud by a federal jury in Los Angeles in August 2024.
On Wednesday, they formally sought, opens new tab dismissal of the Illinois charges, which stemmed from Girardi's alleged misappropriation of more than $3 million in client funds owed to families of the victims of the Boeing 737 MAX Lion Air Flight 610 crash in 2018.
U.S. District Judge Mary Rowland approved the motion Thursday night.
A spokesperson for the Chicago U.S. Attorney's Office declined to comment. Girardi's federal defender did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Federal prosecutors said they still plan to go to trial in Chicago against David Lira, Girardi's son-in-law, on July 14. Lira has pleaded not guilty to charges of wire fraud, criminal contempt, and making false statements to a judge in connection with the Lion Air case.
Chris Kamon, the former chief financial officer of Girardi's law firm, is set to plead guilty to parallel charges in Chicago federal court on July 9. He was sentenced in Los Angeles federal court last month to 121 months in prison for stealing millions of dollars in client funds.
U.S. District Judge Josephine Staton in Los Angeles is weighing whether to sentence Girardi to a federal prison or a medical facility. Staton canceled a key hearing earlier this month after Girardi was admitted to the hospital due to liver dysfunction.
Staton on Wednesday ordered, opens new tab Girardi's federal public defenders to give her an update when Girardi is released from the hospital or on Monday.
