Tom Girardi has claimed that he believes estranged wife Erika Jayne did know about his embezzlement scandal despite her previously denying any wrongdoing.
The 82-year-old disbarred lawyer was recently seen leaving a lunch at an upscale restaurant in Los Angeles with some friends when he was asked about the involvement of his 50-year-old Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills star ex.
A cameraman asked Tom – who once had an estimated fortune valued at $264million – about Jayne as he said: ‘Did Erika know anything? Everyone wants to know.’
Very interesting: Tom Girardi was seen leaving lunch at an upscale restaurant in LA when he said that estranged wife Erika Jayne did know about the embezzlement scandal despite her previously denying any wrongdoing (stock image)
Tom – who has endured bankruptcy woes, allegations of embezzlement, and ailing health – stood quiet for a few seconds before one of his friends tried intervening and eventually convinced him to keep walking.
Before heading off, the co-founder of downtown Los Angeles law firm Girardi & Keese finally answered the question about the woman he’s been married to since 2000 saying: ‘I think she does.’
Last month, DailyMail.com revealed that Girardi is now living in a senior living home in Burbank, California after saying goodbye to living lavishly in his $13 million Pasadena mansion.
Interesting: The 82-year-old co-founder of downtown Los Angeles law firm Girardi & Keese finally answered the question about the woman he’s been married to since 2000 saying: ‘I think she does’
Doesn’t seem too bothered: Meanwhile, Erika was seen partying it up at the grand opening of SUSHISAMBA at The Venetian in Las Vegas on Tuesday
The former attorney is currently facing claims of allegedly embezzling settlement funds that were meant to help the families of plane crash victims.
Just before after DailyMail.com’s revelation on August 23, it was revealed that Girardi – who has now been placed under a conservatorship – has been federally disbarred by California Federal Court.
It’s quite the change of scenery for Girardi, who has now moved out of his palatial Pasadena mansion, that was once on the market for $13million.
Pricing for Belmont Village Senior Living in Burbank is said to be between $4,545 – $4,750 a month for a private suite.
The facility has staff available 24/7, and boasts community chef-prepared dining with 24 daily choices of meals.
Costing for the facility depends on the room type and level of care that is required.
New home: Last month, DailyMail.com revealed that Girardi is now living in a senior living home in Burbank, California after saying goodbye to living lavishly in his $13 million Pasadena mansion
Girardi’s move also follows claims from Jayne who said last week that she’s been receiving death threats after it was claimed she allegedly spent $25million from Girardi’s law firm on credit card purchases and fees for her glam squad.
Lawyers for the trustee overseeing the bankruptcy of the Girardi Keese firm allege the company transferred the money to Jayne’s EJ Global LLC, according to a letter they sent to her lawyer, reports claimed last week.
The letter will be filed with the bankruptcy court as a part of the legal proceedings, a source told the outlet.
Jayne filed for divorce from Girardi in November and has denied wrongdoing after the law firm filed for bankruptcy and he was accused of misappropriating $2million intended for victims of Indonesia’s Lion Air 610 crash.
Will Erika visit? An inside shot of the senior living home shows a dining area where Tom will be free to lounge in
Different to what he’s used to: The senior living facility boasts comfortable sized bedrooms
New living area: Interior shots of the home show where embattled Tom will be spending his time
From 2008 to 2020, Jayne allegedly spent $14,259,012.84 on her American Express card and $1,417,587.50 on unknown purchases – as well as $1,532,774.88 on an agency for dancers and choreographers, the McDonald Selznick Associates Agency.
Her company reportedly paid $102,596.77 to Kim Kardashian’s former executive assistant Stephanie Shepherd.
EJ Global reportedly paid $17,415 to Opus Beauty – a management agency that represents make-up artists, stylists and costume designers – and $1,000 to influential makeup artist Mario Dedivanoic.
In hot water: Girardi is currently under investigation amid accusations he ‘misappropriated at least $2 million’ meant for the families of those killed in the Lion Air Flight 610 crash in Indonesia (He and Erika Jayne pictured in 2016 above)
Jayne had said in an episode of RHOBH that aired last month that the family members of the victims of the Indonesia plane crash ‘are owed their money,’ but that she did not know Girardi had given her $20million in loans from his law firm.
In July, a judge ruled that Jayne may have to pay three other clients of Girardi that he allegedly embezzled $11million from out of her own pocket.
The same month, the former couple slashed the price of their Pasadena home from $13million to $9.98million.
Living area: Pricing for Belmont Village in Burbank is said to be between $4,545 – $4,750 a month for a private suite
Keeping fit: The senior living home also features a spacious gym area with an array of equipment
Stylish: The interior boasts a modern feel though it will no doubt feel smaller than what Tom is used to
The 10,277-square-foot, four bedroom, six bathroom abode, originally listed in May, had long been the main residence for the pair, with Jayne now having downsized.
In December, Giardi was sued by his business partners, which led to his chapter 7 bankruptcy petition; clients of the law firm are also suing him, alleging that their money was also misappropriated.
In March, the LA Times reported that there had been more than 100 lawsuits filed and multiple complaints made to the California State Bar against Girardi by disgruntled clients who alleged financial wrongdoing and theft between the 1980s and up until last year.
Tom’s diner: The facility has a formal dining area for residents staying at the home
Modern: The bedrooms feature plush furnishings
Outdoor space: Another shot from inside the premises shows a patio area for the residents to congregate
In June, Jayne had been ‘ordered to turn over financial records’ from her accountant, lawyer and landlord as part of the embezzlement investigation and a bankruptcy trustee is documenting the couple’s assets.
It’s been alleged that the split provided a way for the couple to embezzle funds and that Jayne had received ‘tens of millions of dollars’ from her husband’s firm to fund her projects, Us Weekly reported in June.
Meanwhile, an investigator in the bankruptcy trial of Tom and Erika says he wants to take into account ‘inconsistent statements’ the reality star has made on Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.
Investigator Ronald Richards told Us Weekly this month: ‘There’s a lot of inconsistent statements and admissions made by the non-scripted actors that we’re putting together to use in court.’
Asked whether the attorney has seen ‘a lot of inconsistencies with the story’ being told on RHOBH in regards to Erika and Tom’s lawsuit and financial woes, Richards said: ‘That’s correct.’
Richards added that his team is ‘going to take discovery from people that used to work for her.’
Cozy: Another bedroom at the facility is seen in the picture above, where Girardi could be spending his time