Thomas Girardi, the once high-profile attorney who graced our screens alongside his wife Erika Jayne on ‘The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills,’ has been sentenced to over seven years in federal prison. This isn’t the fairytale ending many expected for the man who famously represented Erin Brockovich’s clients in the landmark Pacific Gas & Electric case. Instead, Girardi’s legacy is now irrevocably tainted by a conviction for embezzling tens of millions of dollars from his own clients.
His opulent lifestyle, frequently showcased on the reality show, was funded by the very people he swore to protect. The U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California described Girardi as a “thief and a liar who conned his vulnerable clients,” highlighting the stark contrast between his public image and his criminal actions. The conviction followed a trial where he was found guilty on four counts of wire fraud, spanning from 2010 to 2020. The prosecution painted a picture of Girardi operating his now-defunct law firm, Girardi Keese, as a Ponzi scheme, consistently lying to avoid paying his clients—many of whom were accident victims with severe injuries.
Beyond the prison sentence, Girardi was ordered to pay over $2 million in restitution and a $35,000 fine. His legal team has yet to comment publicly on the verdict. Once lauded for his involvement in over 100 cases with settlements exceeding $1 million, including several exceeding $1 billion, Girardi’s fall from grace has been dramatic and swift. His high-profile marriage to Erika Jayne, a prominent figure on ‘The Real Housewives,’ further fueled his public image. However, their relationship ended in 2020, after 21 years, amidst financial turmoil and allegations of embezzlement.
The U.S. attorney’s office revealed that Girardi diverted $25 million from his firm’s operating account into Jayne’s entertainment company, EJ Global, and lavishly spent millions on private jets, jewelry, cars, and exclusive social clubs. His disbarment in 2022 followed the release of State Bar of California reports in 2023, revealing the likely improper handling of prior complaints against him and conflicts of interest among his employees. Girardi’s story serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the devastating consequences of greed and betrayal, even for those who once occupied the heights of power and fame.
