Disbarred Lawyer Tom Girardi Convicted of Embezzling Over $15 Million

Former personal injury attorney Tom Girardi has been found guilty in federal court of embezzling more than $15 million from his clients over a period of several years. Girardi, 85, was convicted on four counts of wire fraud following a 13-day trial, according to a Department of Justice (DOJ) statement. The indictment against him was handed down in February 2023 in the Central District of California.

Prosecutors revealed that Girardi’s fraudulent activities spanned a decade, from 2010 to 2020. During this time, Girardi systematically siphoned off funds intended for his clients, engaging in a scheme that defrauded numerous individuals.

“Tom Girardi built celebrity status and lured in victims by falsely portraying himself as a ‘Champion of Justice,’” said U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada in the DOJ release. “In reality, he was a Robin Hood-in-reverse, stealing from the needy to support a lavish Hollywood lifestyle. Today’s verdict shows that the game is up – we can all now see this defendant for what he was and the victims he callously betrayed.”

Girardi, formerly of the Los Angeles law firm Girardi Keese, is also known for his marriage to Erika Girardi, a star on “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.” The couple has been undergoing divorce proceedings for several years. In 2022, Girardi moved into a “restricted memory care unit” after being diagnosed with dementia and late-onset Alzheimer’s disease the previous year.

His brother, Robert Girardi, was appointed as the official conservator for Tom Girardi and his estate in July 2021.

Girardi gained fame in the legal world as a prominent medical malpractice attorney. He notably represented clients in a class-action lawsuit against Pacific Gas and Electric in 1993, a case that inspired the 2000 film “Erin Brockovich,” featuring Julia Roberts.

Tom Girardi married Erika Girardi in 2000. However, their marriage faced challenges, and Erika filed for divorce in 2020. In addition to his recent legal troubles, Girardi was disbarred from practicing law in California in 2022.

The sentencing for Girardi is scheduled for December. Each wire fraud count carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, which means Girardi could potentially face up to 80 years behind bars.