Erika Jayne has reportedly been hit hard by her estranged husband Tom Girardi‘s wire fraud scandal. In response to reports, seeing someone she “loved and trusted” accused of such crimes has left her “emotionally destroyed.”
The previous attorney was sentenced to over seven years in prison for his crimes, despite being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in March 2021.
Tom Gerardi and Erika Jayne remain legally married, although the fact star filed for divorce in November 2020 after 21 years of marriage.
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Erika Jayne Is ‘Experiencing A Wave Of Emotions’ Amid Tom Girardi’s Legal Woes
After being found guilty of 4 counts of wire fraud in August 2024, it was only a matter of time before disgraced attorney Tom Girardi was sentenced for his crimes.
That sentence was recently handed down, consisting of 87 months in prison and an order to pay a $35,000 positive, together with $2,310,247 in restitution.
Within the wake of the sentencing, an attorney representing Girardi’s estranged wife, Erika Jayne, has revealed how the fact star feels in regards to the situation.
“Erika spent a few years with Tom; she is experiencing a wave of emotions,” said the attorney, Jim Wilkes, about his client, per The U.S. Sun. “I’m sure she’s emotionally destroyed, but there’s a component of her that is shut off and compartmentalized.”
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He added, “If someone you really liked and trusted, and everybody else told you to trust, broke every little bit of trust you had in them and didn’t even inform you, covered it up, how would you are feeling?”
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The Reality TV Star’s Estranged Husband Was Diagnosed With Dementia And Placed Under A Conservatorship
Amid Girardi’s legal troubles, he was diagnosed with dementia and late-onset Alzheimer’s in 2021.
On the time the illness became known, a few of Girardi’s victims doubted its legitimacy, even going thus far as to file a motion opposing the conservatorship appointment.
Ultimately, Girardi was found competent to face trial, but doubts still remained about whether he’s genuinely ailing.
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Erika Jayne’s Lawyer Claims Tom Girardi Deserves To Be Punished For His Actions
Now, Wilkes, Jayne’s lawyer, who had knowledgeable relationship with Girardi prior to his arrest, says he believes Girardi is genuinely affected by dementia.
Nonetheless, he can also be of the opinion that the octogenarian deserves to be held accountable for his actions.
“He’s been charged and sentenced to prison, that is what happens to individuals who do that,” he said. “Am I comfortable about it? No. I’m not comfortable to see anyone suffer.”
“But Tom was a distinguished figure, and he did some silly stuff; he deserves to be punished for what he did,” the lawyer added. “You’ve got to cope with the implications, the system shouldn’t be perfect, but I’m sure he’ll be in minimum security as he’s no threat, but prison continues to be prison.”
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What Was Tom Girardi Accused Of?
Disbarred lawyer Tom Girardi, husband of “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” star Erika Jayne, has arrived on the Los Angeles federal courthouse. Jury selection begins today in his fraud trial. pic.twitter.com/tpY7TJHlIi
— Meghann Cuniff (@meghanncuniff) August 6, 2024
The 4 wire fraud charges against Girardi stem from accusations that he allegedly embezzled settlement proceeds meant for the surviving relations of those that lost their lives within the tragic crash of Lion Air Flight 610.
On the time the claim was filed, it was stated that the previous personal injury attorney had lavishly spent the cash to fund his and his estranged wife Jayne’s Beverly Hills lifestyle.
The quantity in query was believed to be at the very least $15 million in settlement funds from 4 clients.
Now that he has been sentenced, Girardi is required to give up to federal authorities on or before July 17, as stated within the judge’s ruling.
Nonetheless, it stays unclear where he’ll serve his sentence, although the judge ruled it is going to be in a federal prison.
Prosecutor Called Erika Jayne’s Husband’ A Thief’ And ‘A Liar’
After Girardi was found guilty of the wire fraud charges, prosecuting attorney Bill Essayli ripped into him in an announcement to the press.
“This self-proclaimed ‘champion of justice’ was nothing greater than a thief and a liar who conned his vulnerable clients out of thousands and thousands of dollars,” he said, adding that he intends to prosecute dubious lawyers like Girardi and their cronies.
Meanwhile, IRS special agent Tyler Hatcher, who assisted with the investigation, claimed the jury’s decision will function a salve for victims of the disgraced lawyer.
“This sentencing brings a level of recompense for countless victims of Mr. Girardi’s long-running scheme to complement himself on the backs of clients who trusted him in a few of their worst days,” he said, per The U.S. Sun.
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Hatcher added, “This sentencing [also] demonstrates criminals cannot evade the unrivaled acumen of IRS-CI special agents in following the cash, in addition to the effectiveness of our partnerships with fellow law enforcement organizations just like the FBI.”
