In a dramatic fall from grace, former high-profile attorney Tom Girardi was found guilty by a Los Angeles federal jury on Tuesday of four counts of wire fraud. The 85-year-old, who once gained fame for his role in the pollution case that inspired the film “Erin Brockovich,” was accused of siphoning off $15 million in settlement funds from his clients. Prosecutors painted a grim picture of Girardi, describing him as a “Robin Hood in reverse,” who preyed on vulnerable clients to bankroll his extravagant lifestyle in Hollywood.
Girardi, who had been a towering figure in the U.S. legal community, blamed the fraud on his former firm’s chief financial officer, Christopher Kamon. His defense team also claimed that Girardi’s cognitive decline, stemming from dementia, played a role in the events. Despite these arguments, U.S. District Judge Josephine Staton had earlier ruled that Girardi was competent to stand trial.
The court has scheduled Girardi’s sentencing for December 6, where he could face up to 20 years in prison for each count of wire fraud. Kamon, who is also facing charges of wire fraud in a separate trial set for January, has pleaded not guilty. He is accused of embezzling $10 million from the law firm for personal luxuries, including exotic cars and home renovations.
The scandal has cast a shadow over Girardi’s once-celebrated career and his personal life, with the lawyer also facing charges in Chicago. Alongside Kamon and David Lira, Girardi’s son-in-law, he is accused of misappropriating over $3 million intended for the families of victims from the 2018 Boeing 737 MAX Lion Air Flight 610 crash in Indonesia. All three have pleaded not guilty to the Chicago charges, though the outcome of the Los Angeles trial could have significant implications for the ongoing case.
Girardi, who is estranged from his wife, “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” star Erika Jayne, now awaits his fate, as the legal world watches the downfall of a man once hailed as a champion of justice.
