Los Angeles, Calif. — Tom Girardi, an 86-year-old disbarred attorney, was sentenced to seven years and three months in federal prison for defrauding clients out of tens of millions of dollars, as confirmed by court records. Girardi gained notoriety for his pivotal role in significant legal battles, including the 1993 case against Pacific Gas and Electric Co. that inspired the film “Erin Brockovich,” starring Julia Roberts.
U.S. Attorney Bilal Essayli condemned Girardi’s actions, calling him “a thief and a liar” who exploited vulnerable clients. Along with his prison term, Girardi has been ordered to pay restitution of $2.3 million and a $35,000 fine. While his legal team contended that he was mentally unfit to stand trial due to Alzheimer’s disease, the court ruled otherwise.
In August 2024, Girardi was convicted on multiple counts of wire fraud. Prosecutors outlined how he misappropriated funds from clients, including those suffering serious injuries, widows of accident victims, and families impacted by tragedies like the 2018 Lion Air crash, which claimed 198 lives. Victims were often misled regarding the status of their settlements, with Girardi alleging issues such as tax delays or the need for judicial approval.
According to prosecutors, Girardi sent misleading communications to his clients, falsely assuring them that their settlement proceeds had not yet been received and claiming that his law firm could not disburse funds until specific conditions were satisfied. In one notable case, a client awarded $53 million for injuries from a natural gas pipeline explosion received only $2.5 million.
During the investigation, it was revealed that Girardi diverted more than $25 million from his law firm’s operating funds to EJ Global, a company intended to support the entertainment career of his estranged wife, Erika Jayne, a cast member of “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.” Jayne has consistently denied any involvement in Girardi’s fraudulent activities and was dismissed from a related lawsuit in 2022. She filed for divorce in 2020 amid the allegations.
Girardi was once celebrated as a leading personal injury attorney, making his fraud particularly shocking to his clients. Nonetheless, experts caution individuals to remain vigilant when hiring legal representation. Red flags include a lack of transparency from the attorney, unexplained delays in settlements, the absence of written agreements, and pressure to make decisions hastily.
Clients concerned about potential misconduct should request detailed documentation of their settlements, verify the attorney’s standing with state bar associations, and consider seeking a second opinion if doubts arise. Remaining informed and proactive can help ensure that individuals do not fall prey to deceitful practices, even from established attorneys.
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