Elizabeth Lyn Vargas is showing her support to Erika Girardi amid the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star’s ongoing Tom Girardi divorce and legal drama.
The former Real Housewives of Orange County star said that she believed the Pretty Mess singer was in the dark about Tom’s financial dealings because she, too, was in a similar situation with her own ex-husband, Norwegian businessman Bernt Bodal.
Elizabeth was a struggling jazz singer in her early 20s when she met the millionaire entrepreneur in a nightclub. Vargas’ story closely mirrors Erika’s, who was a cocktail waitress and aspiring performer in New York City when she met the now-disgraced 82-year-old lawyer.
“I’m telling you what girl, I believe you when you say you didn’t know what the f**k he was doing,” Elizabeth said on the Unpopular podcast, according to The Daily Mail.
“You don't know where that money's going, you don’t even know where you're getting the money from,” she continued. “You get it, you don’t ask questions, and you enjoy your life. I was in that situation, I completely understand her.”
“I wish I knew her because I would hug her and tell her, coming from nothing and getting something, you’re engulfed in this weird world of money, you don't ask questions.”
She added: “[Erika] had a great life and now she’s gotta live normal. Welcome to the club, honey!”
Elizabeth split from her ex-husband in 2017, but their divorce wasn’t finalized in 2020.
As previously reported, it was revealed last week that the Pretty Mess singer may have to repay settlement funds intended for her estranged husband’s former clients amid allegations that Tom’s firm gave Erika’s companies $20 million over the years. The Ruigomez family, who were featured in Hulu’s The Housewife and the Hustler, can pursue a collections lawsuit against Erika to obtain the $11 million they are owed from Tom.
“The Ruigomez Family, the Girardi Trustee, and the GK Trustee shall cooperate with each other with their collection efforts against Erika,” the court documents obtained by Us Weekly read.
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.
In September 2020, Tom told the court that he lost millions of dollars and has “no money” left. 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.
However, in July 2021, a judge ruled that some former clients of Tom can pursue a collections lawsuit against Erika. According to court records obtained by PEOPLE, Tom's former clients, Joseph Ruigomez, Jaime Ruigomez, and Kathleen Ruigomez, will be able to collect the $11 million they are owed by him per a 2020 litigation.
According to court docs, Erika revealed that she “has nothing to hide” and has already expressed a “full willingness to cooperate and produce” documents to the court. In newly filed documents via Radar Online, the Bravo reality star said she will turn over all bank and financial records. However, she wants the lawyers to agree to not leak the documents.
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