Erika Girardi believes her estranged husband Tom Girardi has been cheating on her, according to Us Weekly.
“Erika is really going through it. She’s very strong, but this has been very hard for her emotionally,” one insider close to the former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star told the publication.
A second source reveals that there were rumors that Erika and Tom (81), “had an agreement in terms of being with other people,” but that wasn’t actually the case during their 20-year marriage.
But other sources share that Tom's alleged infidelity was the reason Erika filed for divorce.
She says “the reason she divorced Tom is because he was cheating on her with multiple women,” a source close to the couple told PEOPLE, adding that Erika claims “she's known about his infidelity for years” but “wanted to try and save the marriage.”
“When she was performing her last week on Broadway, he left her high and dry and was frolicking around town instead of supporting her and attending her shows,” the insider says they were told. “She realized she would never be a priority to him and that was her breaking point.”
“The split was a long time coming. The lawsuit just coincided with her decision to leave him,” the source says, referencing a complaint filed in early December accusing the couple of using their divorce to embezzle money.
Meanwhile, other sources claim that the Bravo reality star was unaware of the legal drama her estranged husband is currently facing.
“Erika was completely unaware of the very serious allegations that were being made against Tom in court,” the source told Us Weekly, referring to the alleged failure to turn over settlement money to his clients from a 2018 plane crash. “Tom always handled all of the finances and that was how they handled things. Erika feels betrayed by Tom because she completely trusted him.”
According to the insider, Erika never thought Tom “could be capable of doing what he has been accused of in court.”
The source added, “She is just reeling from all of this, but make no mistake. Erika is a tough cookie and she isn’t stupid. She will get through this.”
The news comes one month after the Pretty Mess singer filed for divorce from Tom after 21 years of marriage. “After much consideration, I have decided to end my marriage to Tom Girardi,” Erika said in a statement. “This is not a step taken lightly or easily. I have great love and respect for Tom and for our years and the lives we built together. It is my absolute wish to proceed through this process with respect and with the privacy that both Tom and I deserved I request others give us that privacy as well.”
Erika cited irreconcilable differences and is seeking spousal support from Tom. She also wants the court to determine their shared property and confirm that any gifts and inheritances are still hers.
On November 25, Tom requested to terminate the court’s ability to award spousal support to the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star. He also asked that she pay his attorney’s fees.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, December 2, Edelson PC sued the pair for fraud and embezzlement. In court documents obtained by Us Weekly, the class action firm alleged that the estranged couple “are on the verge of financial collapse and locked in a downward spiral of mounting debts and dwindling funds” in addition to calling their separation “a sham attempt to fraudulently protect” their money from debt collectors.
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