“There’s an asset freeze,” the judge told Wasserman, adding that Erika could’ve put herself at risk of being held in contempt in court by continuing to sell clothes or other items, according to a report by Us Weekly. “His assets are frozen. I think you need to convey that to your client. … If she is selling assets that are property of Tom Girardi, you need to inform her of the danger that puts her in.”
Wasserman replied, “I understand the court’s comments and will take them to my client.”
During Tuesday’s hearing, Erika’s lawyer questioned her role in the case, claiming she was not a part of the civil proceedings against Tom and his law firm.
The judge replied, “She is a third party, who arguably, had access to the assets, or access to someone whose assets are frozen. She has notice of it now.”
Edelson PC has accused the Bravo personality and the lawyer, 81, of embezzling settlement money that was meant to go to families of the victims of Lion Air Flight 610, a 2018 crash that killed all 189 passengers and crew, The lawsuit was filed less than a month after Erika filed for divorce from Tom after 21 years of marriage.
The firm alleged in the suit that Erika and Tom’s split is a “sham,” claiming that the pair “are on the verge of financial collapse and locked in a downward spiral of mounting debts and dwindling funds.”
Edelman ultimately dropped their contempt motion against Erika in the light of the bankruptcy case that was filed by creditors on December 18 against Tom and his firm in California court.
Tom previously testified in the fraud case in September and admitted he was having financial trouble.
“At one point I had about $80 million or $50 million in cash. That’s all gone. I don’t have any money,” he told the judge, claiming that he “taken a penny in salary out of the firm for more than two years.”
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.
Erika accused Tom of having an affair with California judge Tricia A. Bigelow. “This is Justice Tricia A. Bigelow. She was f–king my husband Tom Girardi and he was paying her Saks bill and paying for her plastic surgery,” the singer captioned a series of alleged text messages between the pair on December 18 in a now-deleted Instagram post.
Photo Credit: Matt Baron/Shutterstock; YouTube
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