Attorney Tom Girardi, known for his involvement in the Erin Brockovich case and his marriage to television personality Erika Jayne, has faced serious legal ramifications following his disbarment. He has been sentenced to prison after being convicted of fraud. A federal judge has ordered him to undergo cognitive testing to assess his mental state before deciding on a final sentence.
Girardi, 85, appeared in court but did not speak during the hearing. Instead of imposing the full 14-year prison sentence recommended by prosecutors, U.S. District Judge Josephine Staton directed him to report to the U.S. marshals for transfer to a psychiatric evaluation facility in North Carolina. His attorney argues that he suffers from dementia and that his health condition must be taken into account regarding his treatment while incarcerated.
Despite concerns about transportation due to Girardi’s alleged special needs, the prosecution maintains that U.S. marshals are capable of facilitating his safe movement. Judge Staton approved the transfer order, stipulating that Girardi should go directly to the plane without unnecessary stops. Following the evaluation, a subsequent hearing will be scheduled to reassess Girardi’s situation based on the test results.
Girardi was convicted on multiple counts of wire fraud, accused of embezzling substantial sums of money from clients of his former law firm. Prosecutors revealed that he diverted millions into personal luxuries, including travel, luxury cars, and social club memberships, while lying to clients about the status of their settlement funds. This fraudulent behavior, which spanned a decade, resulted in significant losses for those who had trusted him with their legal cases.
U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada commented on Girardi’s deceptive practices, stating that he misrepresented himself as a defender of justice while exploiting vulnerable clients for personal gain. Testimonies from former clients highlighted the betrayal felt by those who relied on Girardi, with one victim recalling the substantial financial losses due to his actions. The case exemplifies the stark contrast between Girardi’s public persona and his criminal actions behind the scenes.