Thomas Girardi, the estranged husband of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Erika Girardi, reportedly screwed his former client out of $11.5 million and now the man is ready to come after the Bravo reality star.
According to court documents obtained by Radar Online, a man named Joseph Ruigomez is taking steps to bring a lawsuit against Jayne over the money owed by her ex, Thomas Girardi.
Girardi was once a well-respected lawyer, but his license has been revoked amid accusations he stiffed his clients out of millions. Ruigomez hired Girardi to represent him in a lawsuit against Pacific Gas and Electric Company, reports the outlet. The case centered around a 2010 gas pipeline explosion. The incident caused Ruigomez to suffer burns over 90 percent of his body. His girlfriend died in the explosion. Girardi was able to score an $11.5 million settlement with PG&E.
However, he claims Jayne’s husband never paid him a dime. He believes Girardi may have transferred his money to Jayne to help fund their lifestyle. In his motion, he pleads with the court to allow him to go after Jayne.
His lawyer says, “Each and every day that Erika is not examined under penalty of perjury as to the whereabouts of the Debtor’s assets, creditors of the Debtor’s estate are potentially harmed due to her braggadocious and lavish lifestyle that she flaunts before the public.”
The outlet previously reported that Ruigomez is asking the court to not allow his money discharged as part of Girardi’s bankruptcy. He believes the debt should not be wiped clean.
At the moment, Jayne is also fighting off the trustee’s investigation into her finances. She believes the lawyer appointed to look into the alleged embezzlement is biased and is demanding he be taken off the case.
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.
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.
Photo Credit: Bravo Media/NBCUniversal
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