Grand juries in Los Angeles and Chicago have indicted Erika and Tom Girardi on federal fraud charges after he allegedly stole more than $18 million from his clients. The Northern District of Illinois U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Central District of California have both filed charges.
In the Illinois case, Tom Girardi is charged with taking more than $3 million in settlement funds meant for the relatives of victims of the Lion Air Flight 610 tragedy in October 2018.
Who is Tom Girardi?
RELATED: Dolores Catania Announces Living with Boyfriend, Paulie Connell: Here’s What We Know So Far
Tom Girardi, a well-known attorney, was the first trial attorney nominated to the California Judicial Council. He is a native of Colorado and earned an LLM from New York University in 1965 and an LL.B. from Loyola Law School in 1964.
The same year, he started practicing law and co-founded a firm with his buddy Robert M. Keese. But his fame as a lawyer was tarnished by the many lawsuits against him.
In December 2020, Tom Girardi’s law firm, Girardi Keese, was forced to file for bankruptcy due to the deficits they owed their creditors. According to reports, the corporation faces 522 claims worth $517 million.
The total includes administrative claims of $250,000, $17 million in priority claims, $137 million in secured claims, and $363 million in unsecured claims. At the time of this writing, the lawyer is facing yet another money-related charge.
What are the Charges Tom Girardi Face?
RELATED: “And Stowe It Begins…” A Comprehensive Guide to Season 2 of Winter House
Tom Girardi was charged with four charges of criminal contempt of court and eight counts of wire fraud. Prosecutors claim that Tom Girardi worked with five clients who were families of the victims of the 2018 incident in the Java Sea.
Boeing Co. allegedly paid settlement funds to the trust account of Tom Girardi’s legal firm following the conclusion of the federal court cases it was involved in. Christopher K. Kamon, the former director of the firm’s accounting and finance division, and David R. Lira, a coworker of Tom’s at the law firm Girardi Keese, were charged with 12 criminal offenses.
Tom Girardi’s Declining Health
Tom was given dementia and late-onset Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis in March 2021, amid his legal troubles and divorce from Erika. He was sent to a nursing home with round-the-clock care in July 2021.
In February 2021, his younger brother was given temporary conservatorship over the ex-attorney, which was later made permanent in July of the same year.
Erika’s Involvement in the Case
RELATED: Revisiting the Boat Romance: Former ‘Below Deck’ Cast Members, Malia White and Jake Baker
Erika and Tom Girardi’s wire fraud chargers might be one of the significant focuses of the new season of ‘RHOBH.’ From their divorce to the recent lawsuits Erika and Tom Girardi are facing, viewers expect that the new season of the reality show will give in-depth stories on these issues.
Amidst all this, Erika is accused of knowing Tom Girardi’s illegal activities. The information was released after Erika and her estranged husband were implicated in several lawsuits for alleged embezzlement. Erika has not, however, been directly connected to the alleged wrongdoings by any public evidence.
Yet, a tentative ruling was issued stating that the RHOBR star doesn’t know all her husband’s nasty stuff. Some also accused Erika of using their divorce to protect their assets.
When Erika filed a divorce petition, Bravo viewers were stunned to hear that what appeared to be one of the most stable couples in Real Housewives history was not that great. As Erika and Tom Girardi battle the fraud charges, fans continue to anticipate how the story will unfold.