Tom Girardi, the once-celebrated attorney and estranged husband of "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" star Erika Jayne, has been sentenced to seven years and three months in federal prison for embezzling millions from his clients over a decade-long scheme The 86-year-old, whose legal work inspired the film "Erin Brockovich," was convicted of four counts of wire fraud in August 2024 after siphoning more than $15 million from settlement funds, including money meant for families of the 2018 Lion Air disaster.
Girardi’s sentencing marks a dramatic fall from grace for the once-prominent lawyer. Prosecutors described him as a "champion of justice" who turned into a "thief and a liar," misleading vulnerable clients about their settlements and inventing false reasons for withholding their funds In addition to prison time, he was ordered to pay restitution and a $35,000 fine.
Erika Jayne, who filed for divorce in 2020 after 21 years of marriage, was in London at the time of the sentencing. She has consistently denied any involvement in or knowledge of Girardi’s crimes and was removed from related lawsuits in 2022 Jayne has spoken publicly about the emotional toll, stating, "Could I have ever foreseen that this is the way that this man's life would have ended? No… Did it really hurt? Did I grieve this for a long time? For many reasons, many layers, yes… Now, yes. It's time to move on".
Girardi, who has been living in an assisted living facility due to cognitive decline, must report to federal authorities by July 17 The couple’s divorce remains unresolved as legal proceedings continue.
