In Los Angeles, a federal judge handed down a prison sentence of seven years and three months to Tom Girardi, a disgraced former celebrity lawyer. Found guilty of embezzling millions from clients, some of whom suffered severe physical injuries, and from families of accident victims, Girardi, aged 86, faced severe repercussions for his actions.
Judge Josephine L. Staton also ruled that Girardi must pay a fine of $35,000 and restitution amounting to $2.3 million to those he deceived. Although a jury convicted him on four counts of wire fraud in August, which could have led to an 80-year imprisonment, the sentence was considerably less. Girardi, known publicly through his link to Erika Jayne, star of “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills,” had become a frequent personality on the show between 2015 and 2020.
Girardi was previously esteemed for representing individuals against major companies, especially in high-profile cases. His most renowned case involved a $333 million settlement against California’s Pacific Gas and Electric utility, an event that inspired the 2000 film “Erin Brockovich” starring Julia Roberts. However, his reputation and legal career deteriorated severely, leading to his disbarment in California in 2022 due to thefts from clients.
Complicating his legal issues, Girardi was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, which raised questions surrounding his mental competence. His memory concerns led to his placement under the conservatorship of his brother. Nonetheless, Judge Staton determined on Monday that Girardi was fit to face sentencing, confirming an earlier decision about his ability to stand trial. While he was free until his sentencing, the judge mandated that he report to authorities by mid-July.
Efforts to reach Girardi’s attorney for comments on the conviction were met without response. During the trial, testimonies from his former clients included emotional accounts from individuals like a widow from Arizona whose husband died in a boating accident, and victims from a 2010 gas pipeline explosion in San Bruno, south of San Francisco.
Additionally, prosecutors revealed voicemails from Girardi in court, wherein he deceitfully cited various excuses for not disbursing court-awarded settlements, such as tax obligations, debts, and supposed judicial approvals, often placating clients with the phrase, “Don’t be mad at me.”