Ronald Richards, the lawyer who is investigating Erika Jayne plans to use the comments she has made on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills against her in estranged husband Tom Girardi’s ongoing bankruptcy case.
“There’s a lot of inconsistent statements and admissions made by the non-scripted actors that we’re putting together to use in court,” Richards told Us Weekly, noting that his team is “going to take discovery from people that used to work for her.”
The attorney added that there is no timetable for when the Bravo reality star — or her former employees and co-stars — could be called in for questioning.
“There’s a lot of things we’re still trying to uncover,” Richards told the publication. “We are going to be deposing her (Erika) at some point, but I want to get all the documents first. What’s important right now is following the money.”
When asked whether he’s “seeing a lot of inconsistencies with the story” being told on RHOBH in regards to Erika and Tom’s finances, Richards added, “That’s correct.”
Richards, meanwhile, claimed that there are $25 million in receivables — “receivables on the firm’s tax return that’s directed to one of her companies, EJ Global” — listed on the firm’s bankruptcy.
“There’s tax returns from 2015 to 2019 actually that says $25 million in receivables … receivables doesn’t necessarily mean money. It could be value,” he told Us Weekly.
When asked about Richards’ claims, Erika’s attorney, Evan C. Borges, told Us Weekly in a statement: “Everything Erika did is legitimate. No assets are hidden. Erika is allowed to move on with her life.”
Richards’s comments come after Erika 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.
The news comes after it was revealed earlier this month 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.
Photo Credit: Sara De Boer/startraksphoto.com; Damian Dovarganes/AP/Shutterstock
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