Erika Girardi took to social media to express how she really feels about Ronald Richards, one of the lawyers involved in her estranged husband Tom Girardi’s bankruptcy case.
The Pretty Mess author retweeted a fan’s comment about Richards on Sunday. July 18.
“There are 2 types of lawyers. Legal eagles And Bottom feeders The ass is the latter. F–k Ronnie McDonald and his slimy, lying, fake ass internet JSD,” the tweet read.
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star responded with a GIF of Heath Ledger in his role as the Joker with the caption, “Clown ass.”
She then shared a GIF of the iconic sitcom Laverne & Shirley and tweeted, “Apparently anyone can be a “ lawyer. ””
The Bravo reality star later “liked” another social media user’s tweet which read, “I don’t know what mobster would ever find him qualified enough to provide them with representation?! He seems to be a low budget lawyer!”
Erika wrote back, “Low budget at best. He’s already complaining he has to spend his own money on this case. #hesinitforthemoney Don’t be fooled.”
Richards reacted to Erika’s tweets in a statement to Us Weekly, saying, “It is unfortunate that there is no client control, which has resulted in more profane and tone-deaf posts which now are apparently directed at myself and my hardworking team.”
He continued: “We cannot help but point out the irony that she previously complained about comments made about her. However, now in a transparent attempt to deflect scrutiny from the source of her mass amounts of capital she is spending, she has now resorted to weaponizing her vast platform to hurl low-brow insults and mean tweets. Obviously, we will ignore them as they have no bearing on the work we are doing. We look forward to her attorney’s anticipated cooperation.”
The RHOBH star’s comments come after she previously requested that the judge reconsider choosing Richards as the bankruptcy trustee lawyer in the case against Tom’s firm. Erika’s legal team expressed issues with Richards discussing her on social media.
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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