Erika Jayne rushed to court demanding assets of her estranged husband Thomas Girardi’s estate not be sold for cheap because she claims to be owed money from her soon-to-be ex-husband in their divorce.
According to court documents obtained by Radar Online, The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star’s lawyer has filed an objection to a recent decision made by the trustee presiding over Girardi’s involuntary Chapter 7 bankruptcy.
The trustee was appointed by the court to take over control of the once-respected lawyer’s finances and determine which creditors will be paid by. Girardi is accused of owing tens of millions to various lenders, former clients, and business partners.
In newly filed documents courtesy via Radar Online, Jayne’s lawyers say the trustee presiding over the bankruptcy recently proposed transferring the estate’s interest in NFL concussion lawsuits to another law firm.
Girardi worked as the head of a law firm named Girardi Keese. Prior to Girardi losing his license to practice law, he was representing a bunch of former NFL athletes in over 100 lawsuits against the NFL over their health, reports the outlet.
The Bravo reality star says she disagrees with the decision to transfer Girardi’s interest in those cases to another law firm. Her lawyer writes, “Ms. Girardi has a 12th-grade education, was never a GK attorney, and had no role in the operation or management of GK. Ms. Girardi was, however, married for approximately 20 years to Thomas Girardi, whom we understand is the 100% equity holder of GK. Ms. Girardi filed a petition for divorce from Mr. Girardi on or about November 3, 2020; and there was no pre-nuptial agreement.”
The Pretty Mess singer says under California law, she is entitled to a cut of any of Girardi’s money left over after his debts are paid. Therefore, she wants to “maximize” the value of his estate.
Jayne says she believes all of Girardi’s pending cases could be “extremely valuable” and “potentially sufficient to pay all legitimate creditors in full, including victims of GK, leaving a surplus of millions of dollars for equity," The surplus would allow her to be paid out a portion.
The NFL cases could be worth an estimated $20 million, Jayne believes. She wants the court to step in. A judge has yet to rule.
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 (2)
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