Tom Girardi, the estranged husband of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Erika Girardi, broke his silence about his conservatorship as multiple lawsuits and his health issues continue to make headlines.
Tom attended a virtual court hearing on Wednesday, June 9, where he addressed the situation for the first time. “Obviously, I disagree with the conservatorship altogether,” he told a judge of his brother, Robert Girardi, being placed in control of his person as well as his estate and finances, according to Us Weekly.
“I think that we should put together the reasons why the conservatorship should be dissolved, and then we’ll address it, address the court,” he said. “Right now, I have nothing to say to the court.”
Despite Tom’s protestations, the judge subsequently ruled that Robert should take over decisions about the former lawyer’s health, healthcare, daily dealings, estate, and finances.
The 82-yar-old was placed under a temporary conservatorship in February when his brother assumed control of his daily activities and personal care. One of Tom’s attorneys claimed in court in December 2020 that he was hospitalized for a “serious illness,” raising questions about his mental competency. Court documents revealed in March that Tom was diagnosed with late-onset Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Erika and Tom made headlines in November 2020 when the Bravo reality star filed for divorce after 20 years of marriage. The following month, the estranged couple was sued for fraud and embezzlement.
In addition to accusing them of swindling $2 million in settlement funds intended for families of victims of a 2018 plane crash, class action firm Edelson PC claimed in federal court documents that the divorce was “simply a sham attempt to fraudulently protect Tom’s and Erika’s money from those that seek to collect on debts owed by Tom and his law firm.”
Tom faced a second lawsuit later that month, alleging that his company breached a written agreement and conversation with Wells Fargo Vendor Financial Services. The bank sought immediate payment on the $882,715 outstanding bill.
Photo Credit: Bravo Media/NBCUniversal; Girardi Keese