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Confused-looking Tom Girardi, 85, shuffles out of court after testifying at fraud trial
A confused-looking Tom Girardi has been spotted shuffling out of court after testifying in his federal trial.
The 85-year-old former attorney and estranged husband of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Erika Jayne recently testified in his own defense.
He is charged with four counts of wire fraud after he allegedly cheated injured clients out of $15 million in settlement funds they were owed between 2010 and 2020.
Girardi's defense team has consistently argued that he is mentally unfit to stand trial due to cognitive decline. However, a federal judge ruled earlier this year that he is competent to proceed with the case.
As the final witness called by his lawyers to testify, Girardi pleaded not guilty to all the charges, claiming 'every client got every penny that every client was supposed to get.'
A confused-looking Tom Girardi has been spotted shuffling out of court after testifying in his federal trial
The 85-year-old former attorney and estranged husband of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Erika Jayne recently testified in his own defense
Over the past two weeks, jurors in the Los Angeles courtroom have heard emotional testimony from Girardi's former clients. They described the trust they placed in him and their subsequent struggles to collect the settlements he secured on their behalf. Some clients recounted losing thousands, or even millions, of dollars.
Girardi took the stand and answered questions for nearly an hour, starting with his defense attorney, Samuel Cross.
He began his testimony by portraying his former law firm, Girardi Keese, in a positive light. He described it as a successful and well-respected firm that he had owned and operated for more than four decades.
Despite being present in the courtroom for every witness's testimony, he claimed to have no recollection of his attorney's name or the testimony of several witnesses, according to entertainment reporter Kiki Monique (@thetalkofshame), who attended the trial in-person.
'The firm was doing so well because of the wonderful people who worked there and still work there,' he said.
Later, his attorney asked if his law firm, which had closed its doors in late 2020 and filed for bankruptcy, was still operating.
'Is your law firm still open, Tom,' Cross asked.
'Yes,' Tom said.
'Tom, what's my name,' Cross asked.
'I don't know,' Tom replied. 'Bad, mean, terrible, it's one of those.'
Monique added that he repeatedly stated that he never took a salary, insisting on prioritizing the financial well-being of his clients.
Girardi emphasized his dedication to his work, stating that he often worked over 50 hours a week.
He cited notable cases he had handled, such as the lawsuit against Pacific Gas & Electric that was the subject of the film 'Erin Brockovich.' He pointed out that Julia Roberts had starred in the award-winning movie.
However, when his defense attorney, Cross, inquired about specific cases where he was accused of misappropriating client funds, Girardi downplayed his involvement and denied any wrongdoing.
Girardi is charged with four counts of wire fraud in which he allegedly cheated clients out of $15 million in settlement funds they were owed for injuries they suffered from his law firm's clients between 2010 and 2020
As the final witness called by his lawyers to testify, Girardi pleaded not guilty to all the charges, claiming 'every client got every penny that every client was supposed to get'
When questioned about the Joseph Ruigomez case, where Ruigomez was awarded a $50 million settlement for injuries sustained in the San Bruno gas explosion, Girardi admitted to being involved but denied any wrongdoing.
Other victims, such as Judy Selberg, who never received the full settlement for her husband's death in a boating accident, testified that Girardi was unresponsive to their inquiries. Girardi claimed to not know which lawyers at his firm handled these cases.
Girardi presented himself as a selfless attorney dedicated to helping those in need. He stated that he entered the legal profession with the goal of assisting people who had been harmed.
Additionally, he portrayed himself as a generous employer who prioritized the well-being of his staff, emphasizing that he never took a salary.
To address accusations of embezzlement, Girardi shifted blame to his former chief financial officer, Chris Kamon. Kamon was also charged with wire fraud related to the theft of client funds and a separate case involving embezzlement for personal gain. Girardi claimed that Kamon was adept at stealing millions of dollars.
When asked about his potential actions if he had known about the embezzlement earlier, Girardi expressed anger and stated that he would have pursued legal action against Kamon.
The tone of the trial became more contentious when Assistant U.S. Attorney Ali Moghaddas began his cross-examination. Moghaddas questioned Girardi's well-being, to which Girardi responded sarcastically: 'I don't know. We'll find out.'
Girardi's defense team has consistently argued that he is mentally unfit to stand trial due to cognitive decline. However, a federal judge ruled earlier this year that he is competent to proceed with the case
Jayne seen with ex Girardi and son Tommy Zizzo when he was still a child
Moghaddas confronted Girardi about misleading the Ruigomez family regarding their settlement amount, claiming he had told them it was $5 million when it was actually $53 million. Girardi denied this, asserting that he would never lie to a client.
Under pressure from the prosecutor, Girardi suggested that Ruigomez and another client had drug problems and implied that he was acting in their best interests by withholding settlement funds. He claimed that Ruigomez's mother had advised him against providing a large sum of money.
When the prosecutor dismissed this explanation as a 'story,' Girardi insisted on its truth. He maintained that his firm promptly distributed settlement funds to families because of their importance. He reiterated that he had never taken a salary and would never consider stealing money.
Regarding the purchase of jewelry for his estranged wife, Erika, Girardi denied using client funds. He emphasized that every client received their full entitlement.
Near the end of the cross-examination, Moghaddas referenced Girardi's ability to persuade people. Girardi responded with uncertainty and looked towards the jury. He stated that he wanted the jury to believe him, not just be persuaded by him.
The trial is nearing its conclusion, with jury instructions and closing arguments scheduled for the coming days.