‘RHOBH’ Husband Indicted Over Fraud Charges
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The prominent attorney was charged with 12 criminal counts in Chicago.
Thomas Girardi, the estranged husband of former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Erika Jayne, stands accused of stealing from his clients.
The prominent Southern California attorney, 83, has been charged with nine counts of wire fraud and three that alleged misconduct at a U.S. District Court in Chicago, per NBC News.
The charges are connected to the Girardi & Keese law firm's dealings with five clients who lost loved ones in the 2018 Lion Air plane crash that killed 189 people.
Christopher Kamon, Girardi's law partner, and David Lira, the head of the firm's accounting and finance department, were also charged with 12 criminal counts.
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The charges stem from allegations that the defendants failed to distribute money owed to their clients. The law firm had secured an $11 million settlement for four clients and a $1.55 million settlement for the fifth client, according to the indictment.
It has been reported that the money the defendants received went to paying personal and law firm expenses, including payroll, charges on an American Express card and distributions to other clients “whose own settlement funds previously had been misappropriated” by the defendants, the indictment states, per the outlet.
A grand jury in the Central District of California also charged Girardi and Kamon with five counts each of wire fraud related to other settlements he's accused of siphoning for personal expenses.
The defendants are said to have secured a $53 million settlement for a San Bruno, California, client who was severely injured in a natural gas explosion. But Girardi allegedly told the client that the settlement was for only $7.25 million. Girardi is alleged to have used part of a $504,000 settlement "to make payments to two exclusive country clubs," according to a statement shared with NBC.
U.S. attorney Martin Estrada told the outlet that the defendants went after "grieving, vulnerable clients" who had initially trusted their lawyers.
“Mr. Girardi and Mr. Kamon stand accused of engaging in a widespread scheme to steal from their clients and lie to them to cover up the fraud,” Estrada said.
“In doing so, they allegedly preyed on the very people who trusted and relied upon them the most — their clients. Actions like the ones alleged in the indictment bring disrepute upon the legal profession and will not be tolerated by my office.”
Girardi is expected to appear in court on Monday, Feb. 6.
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