A Los Angeles federal jury has found disbarred California attorney Tom Girardi guilty of four counts of wire fraud. U.S. prosecutors alleged Girardi, 85, embezzled $15 million from clients’ settlement funds. Notably, Girardi’s pollution case against a California utility inspired the Oscar-winning film “Erin Brockovich.” Girardi pinned the fraud on Christopher Kamon, the former CFO of Girardi Keese, while his lawyers contended that Girardi suffers from dementia. The U.S. attorney’s office confirmed the guilty verdict but offered no additional comment, and Girardi’s federal public defenders have not yet responded.
Kamon, charged with wire fraud alongside Girardi, will be tried separately in January. He faces accusations of embezzling $10 million from the law firm to fund lavish expenditures, including home remodeling and exotic sports cars. Kamon has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Girardi, a once-prominent plaintiffs’ attorney, saw his career unravel in 2020 due to these allegations, leading to his disbarment. He is the estranged husband of “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” star Erika Jayne.
Separately, prosecutors in Chicago have accused Girardi, Kamon, and David Lira, Girardi’s son-in-law and former colleague at Girardi Keese, of misappropriating over $3 million intended for victims’ families of the 2018 Boeing 737 MAX Lion Air Flight 610 crash in Indonesia. All three have pleaded not guilty to these charges.
Despite Girardi’s defense citing dementia, U.S. District Judge Josephine Staton ruled him competent to stand trial. However, Girardi’s lawyer argues that this ruling does not apply to the Illinois case.
The outcomes of these cases will significantly impact Girardi’s legacy and ongoing legal battles.
Original Story https://www.livemint.com/news/california-jury-finds-ex-lawyer-tom-girardi-guilty-in-fraud-case-11724785390115.html
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