A fresh investigation has been launched into whether disbarred Los Angeles lawyer Tom Girardi escaped discipline for cheating clients ...
A fresh investigation has been launched into whether disbarred Los Angeles lawyer Tom Girardi escaped discipline for cheating clients by offering investigators private plane rides, wine-soaked lunches and Las Vegas parties while siphoning off millions from clients.
Girardi made legal headlines in December 2020, when a federal judge froze his assets, saying he had 'misappropriated at least $2 million' meant for the families of those killed in the Lion Air Flight 610 crash in Indonesia in order to bankroll his glitzy Hollywood lifestyle.
The allegations were made a month before his estranged wife, Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Erika Jayne, filed to divorce him — which many took as a ploy to preserve whatever remaining assets the former multi-millionaires had.
As part of the of the investigation, it was revealed that he offered officials private plane rides, wine-soaked lunches, Las Vegas parties and free legal representation at a time when he was accused of siphoning client settlement money and other unethical behavior, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Girardi, who was disbarred in August 2021, has not practiced law since December 2020. Earlier that same year, he was diagnosed with Dementia and late onset Alzheimer's — both characterized as 'major neurocognitive disorders.'
Girardi is currently under investigation amid accusations he 'misappropriated at least $2 million' meant for the families of those killed in the Lion Air Flight 610 crash in Indonesia. On Monday, the California State Bar launched a fresh investigation into whether the disgraced legal titan offered wine-soaked lunches and other perks to investigators to turn a blind eye to wrongdoing. Pictured: Girardi and estranged wife Erika Jayne pictured in 2016 above
Girardi, who regularly appeared on the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alongside now-estranged wife Erika Jayne, was disbarred in August 2021 and has not practiced law since December 2020. Earlier that same year, he was diagnosed with Dementia and late onset Alzheimer's — both characterized as 'major neurocognitive disorders'
On Monday, the State Bar of California announced an additional investigation into Girardi, which is being handled by an outside law firm, that will attempt 'to identify actions by anyone with ties to the State Bar that may constitute malfeasance in how discipline complaints against Girardi were handled.'
In September, the State Bar retained the law firm of Halpern May Ybarra Gelberg to conduct the investigation.
'The State Bar board leadership and staff take very seriously the immense harm done by Thomas Girardi to innocent victims,' Ruben Duran, chair of the State Bar's board of trustees, said in the statement, adding that details of the investigation must remain confidential to comply with the law and to give this investigation the greatest chance of success. 'Mark our words: we will go wherever the evidence leads us.'
The decision to disclose the investigation comes at a time when Sacramento lawmakers are preparing the annual bill that sets dues, which is a large part of the funding for the agency, the Los Angeles Times reported.
For years Girardi had a well-respected reputation as a legal titan. He has a record of winning billions of dollars from drug companies, carmakers and polluters on behalf of injured and swindled clients.
His landmark career victory was winning an environment pollution suit on behalf of residents of the Mojave Desert town of Hinkley against Pacific Gas & Electric about tainted drinking water that caused cancer and other illnesses, and resulted in a $333 million settlement. That case inspired the Oscar-winning film 'Erin Brockovich' in 2000 starring Julie Roberts.
Tom Girardi's estranged wife Erika Jayne has repeatedly denied any knowledge of her Girardi's wrongdoing but fellow Housewives stars have reportedly said they were aware of the scandal
In August, DailyMail.com revealed that Girardi is now living in a senior living home in Burbank, California after saying goodbye to living lavishly in his $13 million Pasadena mansion
In June, Robert was made the permanent conservator of his estate and person after he was diagnosed with Dementia and late onset Alzheimer's — both characterized as 'major neurocognitive disorders.'
His estranged wife, Erika Jayne, has repeatedly denied any knowledge of her Girardi's wrongdoing but fellow Housewives stars have reportedly said they were aware of the scandal.
Camille Grammer claimed she heard of her and Girardi's financial difficulties at Andy Cohen's 2019 baby shower, Page Six reported.
Fellow reality star Bethenny Frankel said Girardi's woes were the 'worst kept secret' in LA, claiming he owed her late ex-boyfriend Dennis Shields $500,000.
According to Page Six, Jayne remained silent when she was asked about Giradi's comments.
In August last year, DailyMail.com revealed that Girardi is now living in a senior living home in Burbank, California after saying goodbye to living lavishly in his $13 million Pasadena mansion.
Pricing for Belmont Village Senior Living in Burbank is said to be between $4,545 - $4,750 a month for a private suite.
The facility has staff available 24/7, and boasts community chef-prepared dining with 24 daily choices of meals.
Costing for the facility depends on the room type and level of care that is required.
Girardi's move to the care facility followed claims from Jayne that she had been receiving death threats after it was claimed she allegedly spent $25million from Girardi's law firm on credit card purchases and fees for her glam squad.
Lawyers for the trustee overseeing the bankruptcy of the Girardi Keese firm allege the company transferred the money to Jayne's EJ Global LLC, according to a letter they sent to her lawyer.
The letter will be filed with the bankruptcy court as a part of the legal proceedings, a source told the outlet.
Jayne had said in an episode of RHOBH that in August that the family members of the victims of the Indonesia plane crash 'are owed their money,' but that she did not know Girardi had given her $20million in loans from his law firm.
In July, a judge ruled that Jayne may have to pay three other clients of Girardi that he allegedly embezzled $11million from out of her own pocket.
The same month, the former couple slashed the price of their Pasadena home from $13million to $9.98million.