Latest news with #LionAirFlight610
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Erika Jayne Left 'Emotionally Destroyed' After Estranged Husband's 7-Year Prison Sentence For Wire Fraud
Erika Jayne has reportedly been hit hard by her estranged husband Tom Girardi's wire fraud scandal. According to reports, seeing someone she "loved and trusted" accused of such crimes has left her "emotionally destroyed." The former attorney was sentenced to over seven years in prison for his crimes, despite being diagnosed with Alzheimer's in March 2021. Tom Gerardi and Erika Jayne remain legally married, although the reality star filed for divorce in November 2020 after 21 years of marriage. After being found guilty of four counts of wire fraud in August 2024, it was only a matter of time before disgraced attorney Tom Girardi was sentenced for his crimes. That sentence was recently handed down, consisting of 87 months in prison and an order to pay a $35,000 fine, along with $2,310,247 in restitution. In the wake of the sentencing, an attorney representing Girardi's estranged wife, Erika Jayne, has revealed how the reality star feels about the situation. "Erika spent many years with Tom; she is experiencing a wave of emotions," said the attorney, Jim Wilkes, about his client, per The U.S. Sun. "I'm sure she's emotionally destroyed, but there's a part of her that's shut off and compartmentalized." He added, "If someone you loved and trusted, and everyone else told you to trust, broke every bit of trust you had in them and didn't even tell you, covered it up, how would you feel?" Amid Girardi's legal troubles, he was diagnosed with dementia and late-onset Alzheimer's in 2021. His health struggles later led to him being placed under a conservatorship by his younger brother, Robert, that same year. At the time the illness became known, some of Girardi's victims doubted its legitimacy, even going so far as to file a motion opposing the conservatorship appointment. Ultimately, Girardi was found competent to stand trial, but doubts still remained about whether he is genuinely ill. Now, Wilkes, Jayne's lawyer, who had a professional relationship with Girardi prior to his arrest, says he believes Girardi is genuinely suffering from dementia. However, he is also of the opinion that the octogenarian deserves to be held accountable for his actions. "He's been charged and sentenced to prison, that's what happens to people who do this," he said. "Am I happy about it? No. I'm not happy to see anyone suffer." "But Tom was a prominent figure, and he did some stupid stuff; he deserves to be punished for what he did," the lawyer added. "You have to deal with the consequences, the system is not perfect, but I'm sure he'll be in minimum security as he's no threat, but prison is still prison." The four wire fraud charges against Girardi stem from accusations that he allegedly embezzled settlement proceeds meant for the surviving family members of those who lost their lives in the tragic crash of Lion Air Flight 610. At the time the claim was filed, it was stated that the former personal injury attorney had lavishly spent the money to fund his and his estranged wife Jayne's Beverly Hills lifestyle. The amount in question was believed to be at least $15 million in settlement funds from four clients. Now that he has been sentenced, Girardi is required to surrender to federal authorities on or before July 17, as stated in the judge's ruling. However, it remains unclear where he will serve his sentence, although the judge ruled it will be in a federal prison. After Girardi was found guilty of the wire fraud charges, prosecuting attorney Bill Essayli ripped into him in a statement to the press. "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," he said, adding that he intends to prosecute dubious lawyers like Girardi and their cronies. Meanwhile, IRS special agent Tyler Hatcher, who assisted with the investigation, claimed the jury's decision will serve as a salve for victims of the disgraced lawyer. "This sentencing brings a level of recompense for countless victims of Mr. Girardi's long-running scheme to enrich himself on the backs of clients who trusted him in some of their worst days," he said, per The U.S. Sun. Hatcher added, "This sentencing [also] demonstrates criminals cannot evade the unrivaled acumen of IRS-CI special agents in following the money, as well as the effectiveness of our partnerships with fellow law enforcement organizations like the FBI."
USA Today
17-05-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Lawyers: Department of Justice proposes Boeing won't be criminally liable in 737 Max crashes
Lawyers: Department of Justice proposes Boeing won't be criminally liable in 737 Max crashes Show Caption Hide Caption Chinese airlines rejecting new Boeing jets over tariffs Boeing has confirmed that its Chinese customers are refusing to take delivery of new jets as tariffs raise prices. Chief executive Kelly Ortberg said 'many' airlines in China now won't accept deliveries. Two 737 MAX jets which had been ferried to the country returned to the U.S. More than six years after the crashes of two 737 Max jets that killed 346 people, lawyers for the families who lost loved ones said the U.S. Department of Justice informed them it apparently intends to drop all criminal charges against the airliner. The lawyers said they learned of the DOJ's proposed intent to "back down from any criminal prosecution" and dismiss the case against Boeing during an online meeting May 16. Instead of pleading guilty, Boeing would receive a non-prosecution agreement. The apparent agreement would halt a scheduled June 23 trial date for Boeing. The airliner faced charges it misled U.S. regulators about a crucial flight control system on the 737 MAX, its biggest-selling jet. The deal would need a judge's approval. Paul Cassell, an attorney for the victims' families and a University of Utah law professor, said in a statement that the Justice Department "conveyed their preconceived idea that Boeing should be allowed to escape any real consequences for its deadly lies." Cassell added that family members expressed outrage at the DOJ's proposed non-prosecution deal and urged the department to reject it. Cassell asked the DOJ if he could submit additional written arguments against this proposal, explaining the families' position by May 23. The DOJ responded that it would get back to the families. "We hope that this bizarre plan will be rejected by the leadership of the Department," Cassell said. "If not – and if the Department moves to dismiss the case – we will strenuously object before Judge O'Connor." Boeing declined USA TODAY's request for comment. The Justice Department did not immediately respond to USA TODAY seeking comment. The apparent decision comes as the families have pushed the Justice Department to hold Boeing accountable for the deaths. The airline manufacturer has paid billions in settlements resulting from Lion Air Flight 610, which killed 189 people in 2018, and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, which killed 157 people in 2019. The crashes were caused by faulty flight control software issues just minutes after takeoff. But Boeing has largely avoided criminal prosecution. Boeing reached a deal with the Justice Department regarding its criminal investigation in January 2021 and was placed on corporate probation. However, federal prosecutors claimed Boeing violated the deal in 2024. The Justice Department said in a court filing that Boeing failed to "design, implement, and enforce a compliance and ethics program to prevent and detect violations of the U.S. fraud laws throughout its operations." The government was weighing whether to pursue prosecution of Boeing, as lawyers representing families of the victims who died in the crash had hoped to see further action. Victims' families and lawyers appalled by apparent DOJ decision against Boeing The latest DOJ proposal with Boeing has left the victims' families frustrated and angry, their lawyers said. Sanjiv Singh, a lawyer representing the families of 16 victims in Lion Air Flight 610, said he is appalled by the decision. "We view the current tentative NPA effectively as a 'slap on the wrist' dismissal equivalent, and as such, I find it appalling and morally repugnant that this is even a consideration," Singh said. "I am also appalled by the DOJ's professed fear of losing at trial against Boeing. In what Alice in Wonderland world does Boeing win at trial, given the facts we know?" Robert A. Clifford, an attorney representing the families of nearly 70 victims, said, "We are offended by this deal, and we will challenge this." Fatal flights: What we know about Boeing MAX 8 crashes in Ethiopia and Indonesia Chris Moore of Toronto, Canada, whose 24-year-old daughter Danielle was killed in the Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, said in a statement, the case isn't about money. "You have no humanity," Moore said. "It's about justice." Cassell, a former federal judge who is representing the crash victims' families for free, said dismissing the case would "dishonor the memories of 346 victims, (whom) Boeing killed through its callous lies." "We hope that Judge will use his recognized (authority) under federal law to reject (a) proposal like this that are clearly contrary to the public interest,' Cassell said.
USA Today
16-05-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Lawyers: Department of Justice says Boeing won't be criminally liable in 737 Max crashes
Lawyers: Department of Justice says Boeing won't be criminally liable in 737 Max crashes Show Caption Hide Caption Chinese airlines rejecting new Boeing jets over tariffs Boeing has confirmed that its Chinese customers are refusing to take delivery of new jets as tariffs raise prices. Chief executive Kelly Ortberg said 'many' airlines in China now won't accept deliveries. Two 737 MAX jets which had been ferried to the country returned to the U.S. More than six years after the crashes of two 737 Max jets that killed 346 people, lawyers for the families who lost loved ones said the U.S. Department of Justice informed them it apparently intends to drop all criminal charges against the airliner. The lawyers said they learned of the DOJ's proposed intent to "back down from any criminal prosecution" and dismiss the case against Boeing during an online meeting May 16. Instead of pleading guilty, Boeing would receive a non-prosecution agreement. The apparent agreement would halt a scheduled June 23 trial date for Boeing. The airliner faced charges it misled U.S. regulators about a crucial flight control system on the 737 MAX, its biggest-selling jet. The deal would need a judge's approval. Paul Cassell, an attorney for the victims' families and a University of Utah law professor, said in a statement that the Justice Department "conveyed their preconceived idea that Boeing should be allowed to escape any real consequences for its deadly lies." Cassell added that family members expressed outrage at the DOJ's proposed non-prosecution deal and urged the department to reject it. Cassell asked the DOJ if he could submit additional written arguments against this proposal, explaining the families' position by May 23. The DOJ responded that it would get back to the families. "We hope that this bizarre plan will be rejected by the leadership of the Department," Cassell said. "If not – and if the Department moves to dismiss the case – we will strenuously object before Judge O'Connor." The Justice Department and Boeing did not immediately respond to USA TODAY seeking comment. The apparent decision comes as the families have pushed the Justice Department to hold Boeing accountable for the deaths. The airline manufacturer has paid billions in settlements resulting from Lion Air Flight 610, which killed 189 people in 2018, and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, which killed 157 people in 2019. The crashes were caused by faulty flight control software issues just minutes after takeoff. But Boeing has largely avoided criminal prosecution. Boeing reached a deal with the Justice Department regarding its criminal investigation in January 2021 and was placed on corporate probation. However, federal prosecutors claimed Boeing violated the deal in 2024. The Justice Department said in a court filing that Boeing failed to "design, implement, and enforce a compliance and ethics program to prevent and detect violations of the U.S. fraud laws throughout its operations." The government was weighing whether to pursue prosecution of Boeing, as lawyers representing families of the victims who died in the crash had hoped to see further action. Victims' families and lawyers appalled by apparent DOJ decision against Boeing The latest DOJ proposal with Boeing has left the victims' families frustrated and angry, their lawyers said. Sanjiv Singh, a lawyer representing the families of 16 victims in Lion Air Flight 610, said he is appalled by the decision. "We view the current tentative NPA effectively as a 'slap on the wrist' dismissal equivalent, and as such, I find it appalling and morally repugnant that this is even a consideration," Singh said. "I am also appalled by the DOJ's professed fear of losing at trial against Boeing. In what Alice in Wonderland world does Boeing win at trial, given the facts we know." Fatal flights: What we know about Boeing MAX 8 crashes in Ethiopia and Indonesia Chris Moore of Canada whose 24-year-old daughter Danielle, was killed in the Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, said in a statement, the case isn't about money. "You have no humanity," Moore said. "It's about justice." Cassell, a former federal judge who is representing the crash victims' families for free, said dismissing the case would "dishonor the memories of 346 victims, (whom) Boeing killed through its callous lies." "We hope that Judge will use his recognized (authority) under federal law to reject (a) proposal like this that are clearly contrary to the public interest,' Cassell said.
Miami Herald
07-04-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Boeing reaches settlement with 2 families of Ethiopian crash victims
Boeing reached a last-minute settlement with families of two people killed in the 2019 Ethiopian Airlines crash, marking another series of cases that concluded before heading to trial and bringing the company closer to ending the legal turmoil from two deadly crashes six years ago. Antoine Lewis and Darcy Belanger were among 157 people killed when a Boeing 737 Max 8 crashed soon after takeoff in Ethiopia in March 2019. A civil trial to determine damages for the family members both victims left behind was scheduled to begin in Chicago this week, with jury selection set for Monday. Both cases settled Sunday evening. The Ethiopian Airlines crash, along with a 2018 crash in Indonesia that killed 189 people, was caused by flawed flight control software on the then-new Boeing 737 Max. In 2021, Boeing accepted responsibility for the crashes in a legal stipulation with the families involved. That stipulation, which was agreed to by all but two of the victims' families, required the company to admit wrongdoing and the plaintiffs to agree not to pursue punitive damages. It guaranteed payments to each family to recognize the loss of their loved ones and ensured that Boeing could not ask a judge to move the cases to the family's home countries, where they may receive smaller sums. Boeing has since settled hundreds of lawsuits with victims' families as it works to restore its reputation. The terms of the settlements are confidential. "We are deeply sorry to all who lost loved ones on Lion Air Flight 610 and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302," a Boeing spokesperson said Monday. "We made an upfront commitment to fully and fairly compensate the families and accepted legal responsibility for the accidents. We will continue to work to fairly resolve the claims of the family members." There is still one case pending following the crash in Indonesia, according to Mark Lindquist, an attorney who is involved in the proceedings and representing those who lost loved ones in the Ethiopian Airlines crash. Of the 157 people who died in that crash, there are still cases pending for 18 decedents, Lindquist said. U.S. District Judge Jorge Alonso has set trial dates in July and November to resolve the remaining lawsuits. Lewis, from suburban Chicago, was 39 at the time of the crash. A U.S. Army captain, he was taking a trip to Africa to explore starting a logistics business, attorneys said in a press release Monday. Belanger, from Denver, was 46 when he died in the Ethiopian Airlines crash. He was a founding member of an environmental advocacy group and was traveling to speak at a United Nations Environment Assembly. "Although these settlements don't bring back their loved ones, hopefully these settlements will begin to offer some closure to these families who have waited so long for justice," attorney Robert Clifford, who represents several of the victims' families, said in a statement Monday. "And the fight against Boeing will continue for the remaining cases." Separately, Boeing also faces a criminal fraud charge from the deadly Max crashes. The Justice Department accused Boeing of intentionally misleading federal safety regulators about the new software system on the planes. Boeing and the Justice Department have twice reached an agreement that would have allowed the company to avoid a criminal trial but both agreements fell through. U.S. District Judge Reed O'Connor in Texas recently set a June trial date in the criminal case against Boeing. Copyright (C) 2025, Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Portions copyrighted by the respective providers.
