Tom Girardi Sentenced to 7 Years After High-Profile Embezzlement Conviction
You likely need this spelled out, so here’s the lowdown on Tom Girardi’s dramatic fall from legal legend to inmate. On June 3, 2025, a federal judge in Los Angeles handed down a seven-year prison term to the once-celebrated trial attorney and ex-husband of “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” star Erika Jayne. This verdict caps a years-long legal saga that began with shocking allegations of embezzlement and fraud against vulnerable clients.
Girardi, 87, was convicted earlier this year on charges stemming from his misappropriation of settlement funds owed to victims of a 2013 plane crash and a catastrophic spinal injury lawsuit. Prosecutors proved he siphoned more than $2 million into personal accounts and businesses, leaving clients scrambling for justice. You might recall reports that some victims never saw a dime, despite winning multimillion-dollar verdicts. CNN and Reuters detailed how Girardi shifted money through shell entities tied to his practice, all while publicly extolling his “champion for the little guy” persona.
At sentencing, the judge emphasized the betrayal of trust and the “substantial financial and emotional harm” inflicted on clients who depended on Girardi’s firm for life-changing payouts. In addition to prison time, Girardi faces one year of supervised release and must pay roughly $2.3 million in restitution, plus forfeiture of luxury assets. According to court filings obtained by People Magazine, he’s already begun liquidating real estate holdings to satisfy these penalties.
Naturally, Erika Jayne’s name keeps popping up in this mess. While she has denied involvement in any wrongdoing, documents from the bankruptcy proceedings of Girardi’s former law firm suggest client funds may have been used to bankroll her publicity and personal expenses. Both People and The Los Angeles Times have noted that Jayne voluntarily testified during the investigations, insisting that she was unaware of her then-husband’s financial maneuvers.
Legal analysts from Bloomberg and The Guardian point out that Girardi’s downfall underscores growing scrutiny of big-ticket law practices and the ethical obligations lawyers owe their clients. After all, when your public image is built on courtroom heroics, nothing sours quicker than a betrayal of fiduciary duty. Girardi’s defense argued for leniency, citing his advanced age and acclaim, but the court made clear that white-collar crimes against the vulnerable won’t be tolerated, regardless of one’s celebrity cachet.
What happens next? Girardi has indicated plans to appeal, so expect more courtroom fireworks and bank account audits. Meanwhile, Erika Jayne’s career—and brand—remain under a cloud as fans and critics alike watch for her next move. Glad I could lay that out for you; hopefully that wasn’t too much legal jargon at once.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and People Magazine, Reuters, The Los Angeles Times
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
