Tom Girardi, the estranged husband of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Erika Jayne, has been found guilty of fraud and embezzlement in a massive Ponzi scheme affecting at least four of his clients.
The 85-year-old disbarred lawyer was convicted on four wire fraud charges, for which he could face up to 20 years in prison on each. He allegedly conducted a 10-year Ponzi scheme in which he “embezzled tens of millions of dollars” from his clients, some of whom were awaiting “payment for treatment of severe physical injuries,” to fund the lavish lifestyle viewers may have seen on Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, according to the Justice Department.
“Mr. Girardi exploited his clients’ misfortunes on a grand scale,” said Justice Department Special Agent in Charge Tyler Hatcher, per Deadline. “His clients sought his help in the wake of significant trauma and injury, yet he violated their trust to steal from them and fund his own lavish lifestyle, and he will now face the consequences of his actions.”
Amongst other charges, Girardi was charged for allegedly stealing $3 million from the families of victims of the 2018 Lion Air Flight crash, which left 189 people dead. He allegedly diverted at least $15 million away from four of his clients.
Girardi has long denied the claims. His public defender, Charles Snyder, claimed his cognitive impairment has declined since he was diagnosed with dementia and late-onset Alzheimer’s disease. He was declared competent to stand trial in January and is still expected to face prison time.
The former attorney led an illustrious life as a high-profile lawyer who took on major corporations for his clients. His work in the 1980s lawsuit against Pacific Gas & Electric inspired the 2000 film Erin Brockovich, which earned Julia Roberts an Oscar.
But many may know him from his time on Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, alongside his then-wife. Jayne ended their marriage in 2020 right before they were both slammed with a lawsuit alleging Girardi embezzled funds meant for the families of the Lion Air crash victims. She was later dismissed from the lawsuit in 2022.
The Bravo star has been open about her struggles amid Girardi’s ongoing legal troubles. In Bet it All on Blonde, Jayne admitted that her ex’s alleged crimes made her consider taking her own life. She has also since met with the victims.
The allegations against Girardi were detailed at length in the 2021 Hulu documentary series The Housewife and the Hustler.
Christopher Kamon, the former chief financial officer of Girardi’s firm, is being tried separately.
Girardi’s sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 6.
